Estimation method, information processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for estimating motion of animal

ABSTRACT

An estimation method performed by a computer includes: executing a first identifying process that includes identifying a candidate for a limb having a problem by evaluating left and right balance at the time of movement based on measurement data of a motion sensor attached to an animal moving on four limbs, and executing a second identifying process that includes identifying the limb having a problem among the limbs which are considered as the candidates for a limb having a problem based on a detection result of a nutation movement by detecting the nutation movement from the measurement data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication PCT/JP2016/056145, filed on Feb. 29, 2016 and designated theU.S., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an estimation method, an informationprocessing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium for estimating a motion of an animal.

BACKGROUND

For general horses represented by thoroughbred, health management hasthe following problems. Generally, training which imposes a load on themind and body of a horse is performed in order to improve the ability ofa horse. However, as horses are also creatures, physical conditions ofthe horses change day by day. One irregularity of the body condition ofa horse is an abnormal gait state which is called lameness. Lameness isknown to occur due to the generation of some abnormalities in four limbsof the horse, but in a case where the lameness is minor, there is a casewhere it is difficult to find the lameness. When the lameness in a minorstate and a strong training is performed with respect to the horsehaving lameness, there is a case where more severe disorders, such astendinitis, are caused. Therefore, it is desirable for horse healthmanagement to find lameness in an early stage and in a minor stage, torefrain from training, and to take treatment.

Examples of the related art include Japanese National Publication ofInternational Patent Application No. 2008-500046.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, an estimation method performedby a computer, the method comprising: executing a first identifyingprocess that includes identifying a candidate for a limb having aproblem by evaluating left and right balance at the time of movementbased on measurement data of a motion sensor attached to an animalmoving on four limbs, and executing a second identifying process thatincludes identifying the limb having a problem among the limbs which areconsidered as the candidates for a limb having a problem based on adetection result of a nutation movement by detecting the nutationmovement from the measurement data.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a schematicconfiguration of a system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view illustrating an example of a flow of healthmanagement of a horse by a system according to Example 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of a measurement device according to Example 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of an estimation device according to Example 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view illustrating an example of a trajectory of aposition.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view illustrating an example of a trajectory of aposition in front of the chest of the horse on a plane.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the trajectoryof the position in front of the chest of the horse.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of left and rightareas of the trajectory with respect to a center line CL.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a part at whicha line segment L1 and a line segment L2 are on the left side and a partat which a line segment L1 and a line segment L2 are on the right sidewith respect to the center line CL.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of decreaseamounts of a point P1 and a point P3 from an intersection point CP.

FIG. 11A illustrates a diagram illustrating an example in which it isnot possible to appropriately evaluate a left and right balance.

FIG. 11B illustrates a diagram illustrating an example in which it isnot possible to appropriately evaluate the left and right balance.

FIG. 11C illustrates a diagram illustrating an example in which it isnot possible to appropriately evaluate the left and right balance.

FIG. 12A illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a distributionratio of the left and right balance.

FIG. 12B illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of thedistribution ratio of the left and right balance.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a transition ofevaluation results of the left and right balance for each walkingcompletion for a plurality of times of walking completions.

FIG. 14 illustrates a view illustrating a direction with respect to thehorse.

FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram schematically illustrating a positionalrelationship of four limbs when the horse moves.

FIG. 16 illustrates a view illustrating the movement of the horse whenmoving in trot.

FIG. 17 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a motionwaveform indicating a change in acceleration in an up-down direction,acceleration in a left-right direction, and acceleration in a yaw axisdirection when moving in trot.

FIG. 18A illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a motionwaveform of acceleration in the up-down direction when lameness occurs.

FIG. 18B illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a motionwaveform of acceleration in the up-down direction and a motion waveformof an angular velocity in the yaw axis direction in a case wherelameness occurs.

FIG. 19A illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of motionwaveforms in a case where lameness occurs.

FIG. 19B illustrates a diagram illustrating another example of motionwaveforms in a case where lameness occurs.

FIG. 20 illustrates a view illustrating the movement of the horse whenmoving in walk.

FIG. 21 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of motionwaveforms indicating a change in acceleration in the up-down direction,acceleration in the left-right direction, and acceleration in the yawaxis direction when moving in walk.

FIG. 22 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of motionwaveforms in a case where lameness occurs.

FIG. 23 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of motionwaveforms in a normal state where lameness does not occur.

FIG. 24 illustrates a view illustrating a landing flow of the horsewhile walking.

FIG. 25 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of motionwaveforms in a case where lameness occurs.

FIG. 26 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of motionwaveforms.

FIG. 27 illustrates a diagram for describing identification of a limbhaving a problem.

FIGS. 28A-1 and 28A-2 illustrate a flowchart illustrating an example ofa procedure of estimation processing.

FIG. 28B illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedureof estimation processing.

FIGS. 28C-1 and 28C-2 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example ofa procedure of estimation processing.

FIG. 29 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedureof first waveform analysis processing.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedureof second waveform analysis processing.

FIG. 31 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of an estimation device according to Example 2.

FIG. 32 illustrates a view illustrating an example of a flow of healthmanagement of the horse by a system according to Example 2.

FIG. 33 illustrates a view illustrating an example of a flow of healthmanagement of the horse by a system according to Example 3.

FIG. 34 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a configurationof a computer that executes an estimation program.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

In the related art, the lameness has been found by experience andintuition of a person who manages a horse. However, as described above,there is a case where it is not possible to distinguish a minor lamenessfrom a healthy state. In addition, in a case where the person whomanages a horse is inexperienced, there is also a concern that theperson misses a thing that can be found by a person who is experienced.Furthermore, since the person who manages a horse usually manages aplurality of horses at the same time, there is also a concern of missingminor irregularities of each horse. According to this, there is a casewhere more serious disorders are caused by performing inappropriatetraining with respect to the horse while missing a minor lameness in theearly stage.

Furthermore, in a case where the lameness is detected, more experienceand intuition of experts are demanded to identify a limb having aproblem which is a target to be treated. Animals are not capable oftelling humans which limb is painful. Experts identify a limb having aproblem by looking at the steps or by touching the limbs. In a casewhere the problem is still unknown, the limb having a problem isidentified, for example, by using diagnostic anesthesia. In the methodusing diagnostic anesthesia, anesthesia is applied to a limb which isconsidered as a limb having a problem, and the limb is determined as acorresponding limb when the horse no longer hurts. However, in themethod using diagnostic anesthesia, it is demanded to anesthetize thelimbs of the horse, and this imposes a heavy burden on the horse.

In recent years, western countries have introduced a method ofidentifying a limb having a problem using nuclear scintigraphy. In themethod using nuclear scintigraphy, a radioactive isotope is used as areagent for testing. Therefore, in the method using nuclearscintigraphy, it is demanded to pay attention to the handling of thereagents, excrement or bedding straws of horses at the time of diagnosisare handled as nuclear waste, and thus, building facilities that satisfysafety standards demands a large amount of money and site. Therefore,although a high effect of the method is known, the method has not beenintroduced in Japan.

In addition, the lameness of horses was described, but lameness occursin all animals moving on four limbs, such as cattle and dogs, becausesome abnormalities are generated in four limbs.

In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide anestimation program, an estimation method, and an information processingapparatus which are capable of estimating a limb having a problem thatcauses lameness in a state where the burden on an animal moving on fourlimbs is small.

Hereinafter, examples of an estimation program, an estimation method,and an information processing apparatus according to the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Inaddition, the disclosed technology is not limited by the examples.Further, the following examples may be appropriately combined with eachother within a range that does not cause contradiction.

EXAMPLE 1

[System Configuration]

First, an example of a system for performing health management accordingto Example 1 will be described. FIG. 1 illustrates a diagramillustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the system. Asystem 10 is a system for detecting lameness of animals moving on fourlimbs, such as horses, cattle, and dogs. Hereinafter, as an animalmoving on four limbs, a case of detecting lameness of a horse will bedescribed as an example.

Training which imposes a load on the mind and body of the horse isperformed in order to improve the ability of the horse. In particular,it is important for a light breed horse, such as thoroughbred, toperform the training while appropriately performing body conditionmanagement and suppressing the occurrence of failures. Therefore, forthe light breed horse, it is demanded to find lameness in an early stageand in a minor stage. In the example, the system 10 supports detectionof lameness of the horse.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a measurement device 11and an estimation device 12. The measurement device 11 is a device whichis attached to the horse and measures the behavior when the horse moveson four limbs. For example, the measurement device 11 has a motionsensor embedded therein and measures the behavior of the horse whenmoving on four limbs by the motion sensor. The measurement device 11stores measurement data 24 measured by the motion sensor. Themeasurement device 11 and the estimation device 12 are capable ofexchanging data via wired communication, wireless communication, or astorage medium, such as a flash memory. The measurement data 24 measuredby the measurement device 11 is sent to the estimation device 12 viawired communication, wireless communication, or storage medium.

The estimation device 12 is a device which estimates a limb having aproblem that causes lameness in a case where lameness occurs based onthe measurement data 24. The estimation device 12 is, for example, acomputer, such as a personal computer or a server computer. Theestimation device 12 may be a portable terminal device, such as a tabletterminal, a smartphone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA). Forexample, the estimation device 12 is disposed at a management source,such as stables and ranches for managing horses. The estimation device12 may be implemented as a single computer or may be implemented by aplurality of computers. In addition, in the example, a case where eachof the estimation devices 12 is a single computer, will be described asan example. In the example, the estimation device 12 corresponds to theinformation processing device.

Next, an example of a flow of health management of a horse using thesystem 10 according to Example 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a viewillustrating an example of a flow of health management of a horse by thesystem according to Example 1. The measurement device 11 is attached infront of the chest of a horse 13 which is a target of health management.For example, the measurement device 11 is stored in a harness 13Aattached to the horse 13. In the example of FIG. 2, an example in whichthe measurement device 11 is attached in front of the chest of the horse13 using a martingale is illustrated. The horse 13 performs varioustypes of training in a state where the measurement device 11 is attachedthereto. The measurement device 11 collects data on the behavior duringthe training by the motion sensor and stores the measurement data 24.

Here, lameness occurs due to the generation of some abnormalities in thefour limbs of the horse, and is in a state of so-called, dragging limbs.Since the horse in which the lameness occurs hides the limb in which thelameness occurs, a left and right balance tends to collapse. In order todetect the left and right balance of the horse, it is considered toattach the motion sensor to the limb of the horse. However, when themotion sensor is attached to the limb of the horse, a burden is appliedto the limb due to the weight of the motion sensor or the like, andthere is a concern of causing a failure. In addition, it is alsoconsidered to attach the motion sensor to the head of the horse.However, in the head, the influence of the movement of the neck, such asshaking the neck, is large, and it is difficult to detect the left andright balance of the horse. Meanwhile, since the chest of the horsemoves being interlocked with the forelimb, it is easy to detect the leftand right balance of the horse. Here, in the system 10 according to theexample, the measurement device 11 is attached in front of the chest ofthe horse 13 and the movement of the chest of the horse 13 is measured.

After the training, the measurement device 11 is brought to themanagement office, and the stored measurement data 24 is uploaded to theestimation device 12 via the storage medium or by wired communication orwireless communication. Based on the uploaded measurement data 24, theestimation device i12 evaluates whether or not the lameness occurs, andin a case where the lameness occurs, the limb having a problem thatcauses the lameness is estimated.

[Configuration of Measurement Device]

Next, the configuration of each device will be described. First, theconfiguration of the measurement device 11 will be described. FIG. 3 isa view illustrating an example of a functional configuration of themeasurement device according to Example 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, themeasurement device 11 includes an external I/F (interface) unit 20, asensor unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

The external I/F unit 20 is, for example, an interface for transmittingand receiving various types of information to and from other devices. Inthe measurement device 11 according to Example 1, the external I/F unit20 is a port for inputting and outputting the data to and from thestorage medium, such as a flash memory, a communication port forperforming wired communication by a cable or the like, or acommunication interface for performing wireless communication.

The sensor unit 21 is the motion sensor which detects the behavior. Forexample, the sensor unit 21 is a six-axis sensor which measuresaccelerations in three axial directions perpendicular to each other andangular velocities of the three axes. In addition, the sensor unit 21may be divided into a plurality of sensors. For example, the sensor unit21 may be configured with a triaxial acceleration sensor for measuringaccelerations in three axial directions and a gyro sensor for measuringangular velocity of three axes.

The storage unit 22 is a semiconductor memory, such as a random accessmemory (RAM), a flash memory, or a non volatile static random accessmemory (NVSRAM), which can rewrite the data. In addition, the storageunit 22 may be a storage device, such as a hard disk, a solid statedrive (SSD), or an optical disk. The storage unit 22 stores an operatingsystem (OS) executed by the control unit 23 or various programs.Furthermore, the storage unit 22 stores various types of information.For example, the storage unit 22 stores the measurement data 24.

The measurement data 24 is data which stores various types ofinformation on the behavior of the horse therein. For example, in themeasurement data 24, values of accelerations in three axial directionsand angular velocities of three axes which are measured by the sensorunit 21 are stored in association with measurement times.

The control unit 23 is a device which controls the entire measurementdevice 11. As the control unit 23, it is possible to adopt an electroniccircuit, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processingunit (MPU) and the like, or an integrated circuit, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) and the like.

The control unit 23 stores various types of data respectively detectedby the sensor unit 21 in the measurement data 24. For example, thecontrol unit 23 measures accelerations in three axial directions andangular velocities of three axes by the sensor unit 21 at apredetermined cycle. Each time the measurement is performed, the controlunit 23 associates the values of accelerations in three axial directionsand the angular velocities of three axes with the measurement times andstores the association result in the measurement data 24. Themeasurement time can also be an elapsed time starting from the time whenthe measurement is started or may be a global time measured by a timestamp or the like. In a case where the measurement time is set as theelapsed time, the measurement data 24 in which the measurement startdate and time at which the measurement is started is embedded in aheader is stored in the storage unit 22. In addition, hereinafter, acase where the accelerations in three axial directions and angularvelocities of three axes are measured in a cycle of 0.05 seconds isassumed, but the measurement cycle is not limited thereto.

[Configuration of Estimation Device]

Next, the configuration of the estimation device 12 will be described.FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the estimation device according to Example 1. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the estimation device 12 includes an external I/Funit 30, a display unit 31, an input unit 32, a storage unit 33, and acontrol unit 34.

The external I/F unit 30 is, for example, an interface for transmittingand receiving various types of information to and from other devices. Inthe estimation device 12 according to Example 1, the external I/F unit30 is a port for inputting and outputting the data to and from thestorage medium, such as a flash memory, a communication port forperforming wired communication by a cable or the like, or acommunication interface for performing wireless communication. Forexample, the external I/F unit 30 receives the measurement data 24 fromthe measurement device 11 by a storage medium, wired communication, orwireless communication.

The display unit 31 is a display device for displaying various types ofinformation. As the display unit 31, a display device, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT), can be employed. Thedisplay unit 31 displays various types of information. For example, thedisplay unit 31 displays various screens, such as an operation screen.

The input unit 32 is an input device for inputting various types ofinformation. As the input unit 32, an input device that receives aninput of an operation, such as a mouse or a keyboard, can be employed.In addition, the input unit 32 may be various types of buttons providedin the estimation device 12 or a transmission type touch sensor providedon the display unit 31. The input unit 32 receives the input of varioustypes of information. For example, the input unit 32 receives variousoperation inputs related to evaluation, such as an instruction to startprocessing. The input unit 32 receives an operation input from a userand inputs operation information indicating the received operationcontents to the control unit 34. In addition, in the example of FIG. 4,since the functional configuration is illustrated, the display unit 31and the input unit 32 are separately provided, but for example, a devicein which the display unit 31 and the input unit 32, such as a touchpanel, are integrally provided may be configured.

The storage unit 33 is a storage device for storing various types ofdata. For example, the storage unit 33 is a storage device, such as ahard disk, an SSD, or an optical disk. In addition, the storage unit 33may be a semiconductor memory, such as RAM, flash memory, or NVSRAM,which can rewrite the data.

The storage unit 33 stores an operating system (OS) executed by thecontrol unit 34 or various programs. Furthermore, the storage unit 33stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 33stores measurement data 35 and evaluation data 36.

The measurement data 35 is data that stores the measurement data 24acquired from the measurement device 11 therein. The evaluation data 36is data in which the evaluation result of the measurement data 35 isstored.

The control unit 34 is a device which controls the estimation device 12.As the control unit 34, it is possible to adopt an electronic circuit,such as a CPU, an MPU and the like, or an integrated circuit, such as anASIC, a FPGA and the like. The control unit 34 has an internal memoryfor storing programs defining various processing procedures or controldata, and executes various types of processing by the programs orcontrol data. The control unit 34 functions as various processing unitsby operating various programs. For example, the control unit 34 includesa storage unit 40, a reception unit 41, an evaluation unit 42, adetermination unit 43, a candidate identifying unit 44, a problem limbidentifying unit 45, a distinguishing unit 46, and an output unit 47.

The storage unit 40 stores various types of data. For example, thestorage unit 40 stores the measurement data 24 acquired from themeasurement device 11 via the external I/F unit 30 as the measurementdata 35 in the storage unit 33.

The reception unit 41 receives various types of information. Forexample, the reception unit 41 receives various operation instructions.For example, the reception unit 41 displays various screens, such as anoperation screen, on the display unit 31, and receives an operationinstruction, such as an instruction to start processing of themeasurement data 35, from the input unit 32.

The evaluation unit 42 performs various evaluations. For example, theevaluation unit 42 evaluates the left and right balance of the movementof the horse for each walking completion based on the measurement data35. Hereinafter, the evaluation method will be described in detail.

First, the evaluation unit 42 obtains a trajectory of a position infront of the chest of the horse for each walking completion based on themeasurement data 35. Here, the accelerations in the three axialdirections at each measurement time stored in the measurement data 35include vibration components caused by the movement on four limbs of thehorse and gravity components due to gravity. The vibration componentcorresponds to one walking completion of the horse, and fluctuatescyclically. Meanwhile, the gravity component is mostly fixed. Therefore,with respect to a change in accelerations in three axial directions,when passing through a low-pass filter (LPF) or a high-pass filter (HPF)with an appropriate cutoff frequency, the vibration component of thehorse and the gravity component can be separated from each other. Thedirection of the gravity component is a vertical direction. In addition,the evaluation unit 42 may separate the gravity component at theaccelerations in three axial directions at each measurement time throughthe low-pass filter, and may set the component of the differenceobtained by subtracting the gravity component from the accelerations inthe three axial directions at each measurement time as a vibrationcomponent caused by the movement of the horse.

Here, the gait when the horse moves is roughly divided into walk, trot,canter, and gallop. Since the velocity of the gait of the horse is highin the order of walk, trot, canter, and gallop, and the vibration whenthe horse runs is also large, a change in accelerations in three axialdirections also increases. In addition, in trot, canter, and gallop, thebody of the horse is in a state of floating during one walkingcompletion, and a zero gravity state where there is no acceleration inthree axial directions is generated. Therefore, the evaluation unit 42separates the gravity component using the data in the period duringwhich the change in acceleration in the three axial directions is small.

In addition, the evaluation unit 42 obtains the trajectory of theposition in front of the chest of the horse using the vibrationcomponent caused by the movement of the horse and the angular velocitiesof the three axes among the accelerations in the three axial directionsat each measurement time. For example, the evaluation unit 42 calculatesthe three-dimensional position of each measurement time using thevibration component caused by the movement of the horse in the threeaxial directions at each measurement time and the angular velocities ofthree axes. Accordingly, the trajectory of the three-dimensionalposition is obtained. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of thetrajectory of the position. The evaluation unit 42 identifies aplurality of feature points having the same features in the vibrationcomponents measured from each position. For example, the evaluation unit42 identifies a point at which the vibration becomes maximum, a point atwhich the acceleration in the vertical direction becomes maximum, andthe like, as feature points. In the example of FIG. 5, the start pointand the end point are identified as feature points. The evaluation unit42 converts the coordinates on the plane such that the positions betweenthe feature points are the same as the feature points, and obtains thetrajectory of the position on the plane. For example, the evaluationunit 42 projects the position between the feature points on aperpendicular plane connecting the feature points, and obtains thetrajectory of the position in front of the chest of the horse on theplane when the horse is viewed from the front. In the example of FIG. 5,the coordinates of each position between the start point and the endpoint are projected on a perpendicular plane connecting the position ofthe start point and the position of the end point, and obtains thetrajectory of the position in front of the chest of the horse on theplane. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of the trajectory of theposition in front of the chest of the horse on a plane. In the exampleof FIG. 6, the start point and the end point of the trajectory are thesame position.

In addition, a method for obtaining the trajectory of the position infront of the chest of the horse on the plane is not limited thereto. Forexample, the evaluation unit 42 obtains the up-down direction of thehorse, the left-right direction of the horse, the front-rear directionof the horse using the features of walking of the horse from theaccelerations in the three axial directions and the angular velocitiesof three axes which are stored in the measurement data 35. In addition,the evaluation unit 42 may obtain the trajectory on the plane using thevibration component in the up-down direction of the horse and thevibration component in the left-right direction of the horse. Forexample, the evaluation unit 42 separates the vibration component in theup-down direction from the vibration component due to the movement ofthe horse considering the component in the vertical direction as theup-down direction of the horse. In addition, in a case where the movingvelocity of the horse is in a steady state, the movement of the horse islarge in the left-right direction and small in the front-rear direction.Here, the evaluation unit 42 obtains the direction in which thevibration is the largest as the left-right direction of the horse amongthe directions perpendicular to the vertical direction, among thevibration components due to the movement of the horse excluding thevibration component in the up-down direction. In addition, theevaluation unit 42 obtains the direction perpendicular to the up-downdirection of the horse and the left-right direction of the horse as thefront-rear direction of the horse. The evaluation unit 42 may separatethe vibration component in the left-right direction of the horse and thevibration component in the front-rear direction of the horse from thevibration component caused by the movement of the horse, and may obtainthe trajectory on the plane when the horse is viewed from the frontusing the vibration component in the left-right direction and thevibration component in the front-rear direction. For example, theevaluation unit 42 obtains the acceleration in the front-rear direction,the acceleration in the left-right direction, and the acceleration inthe up-down direction, from the accelerations in the three axialdirections and the angular velocities of three axes which are stored inthe measurement data 35. Further, the evaluation unit 42 obtains theacceleration in the yaw direction around the up-down direction, from theaccelerations in the three axial directions and the angular velocitiesof the three axes which are stored in the measurement data 35. Inaddition, the evaluation unit 42 may obtain the acceleration in apitching direction around the left-right direction and the accelerationin a rolling direction around the front-rear direction. In addition, theevaluation unit 42 may obtain the trajectory on the plane when the horseis viewed from the front, using the acceleration in the left-rightdirection and the acceleration in the up-down direction. In addition, amethod for obtaining the up-down direction, the left-right direction,and the front-rear direction of the horse is not limited thereto. Forexample, a method described in “Japanese Laid-open Patent PublicationNo. 2015-84943” disclosed by the present applicant may be used.

The evaluation unit 42 evaluates the left and right balance of themovement of the horse using the trajectory of the position in front ofthe chest of the horse on the plane. FIG. 7 illustrates a diagramillustrating an example of the trajectory of the position in front ofthe chest of the horse. In the example of FIG. 7, the horizontal axisrepresents the movement amount in the horizontal direction in a unit ofmm, and is assumed to be an X axis. The vertical axis represents themovement amount in the up-down direction in a unit of mm, and is assumedto be a Y axis. In the example, since the left and right balance isevaluated from the amount of change in position of the point, either theX axis or the Y axis reference (a point that becomes 0) may be used. Inthe example of FIG. 7, the trajectory in a case where the gait of thehorse is a trot is illustrated. In the trajectory illustrated in FIG. 7,it is assumed that the order of measurement times is point P0→pointP1→point P2→point P3. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in general, thetrajectory of the position in front of the chest draws a shape of ∞ (afigure of 8 in the horizontal direction) in many cases. It can beconsidered that this is because, when the horse walks, the head is movedin the shape of FIG. 8 to keep balance. Meanwhile, in a case where thelameness occurs in the horse, the trajectory collapses from the shape of∞ in order to hide the limb in which the lameness occurs. Here, theevaluation unit 42 evaluates the left and right balance of thetrajectory. Hereinafter, a method for evaluating the left and rightbalance of the trajectory will be described in detail.

The evaluation unit 42 obtains the point P0 which is a maximum point onthe left side, the point P1 which is a minimum point on the right side,the point P2 which is a maximum point on the right side, and the pointP3 which is a minimum point on the left side, in the trajectory of theposition in front of the chest. For example, the evaluation unit 42compares the coordinates of the position of each point in the order ofthe measurement times, and distinguishes the maximum point at which theposition of the next point in the up-down direction drops for the firsttime and the minimum position at which the position of the next point inthe up-down direction rises for the first time in order. In addition, ina case where the point determined as the minimum point after the maximumpoint is on the right side of the maximum point, the evaluation unit 42identifies the maximum point as the maximum point on the left side, andidentifies the minimum point as the minimum point on the right side. Inaddition, in a case where the point determined as the minimum pointafter the maximum point is on the left side of the maximum point, theevaluation unit 42 identifies the maximum point as the maximum point onthe right side, and identifies the minimum point as the minimum point onthe left side. As a method for identifying the maximum points on theleft side and on the right side, it may be determined that the maximumpoint is on the left side when the X coordinate of the maximum point issmaller than the X coordinate of an intersection point CP, and themaximum point is on the right side when the X coordinate of the maximumpoint is larger than the X coordinate of the intersection point CP. Thetrajectory of point P0→point P1→point P2→point P3→point P0 illustratedin FIG. 7 corresponds to one walking completion. The evaluation unit 42repeatedly identifies point P0→point P1→point P2→point P3→point P0 . . ., and obtains the trajectory for each walking completion. In addition,the point which is considered as the start point of the trajectory ofone walking completion may be any one of the points P0 to P3.

The evaluation unit 42 evaluates the left and right balance of thetrajectory for each walking completion. For example, the evaluation unit42 obtains a line segment L1 which connects the point P0 and the pointP1 to each other and a line segment L2 which connects the point P2 andthe point P3 to each other. The evaluation unit 42 obtains theintersection point CP of the line segment L1 and the line segment L2.

For example, the XY coordinates of the point P0 are (P0.X, P0.Y), the XYcoordinates of the point P1 are (P1.X, P1.Y), the XY coordinates of thepoint P2 are (P2.X, P2.Y), and the XY coordinates of the point P3 are(P3.X, P3.Y). In this case, the XY coordinates (intersection point.X,intersection point.Y) of the intersection point CP are obtained from thefollowing.A=P1.Y−P0.YB=P0.X−P1.XU=(P1.Y−P0.Y)×P0.X−(P1.X−P0.X)×P0.YC=P3.Y−P2.YD=P2.X−P3.XV=(P3.Y−P2.Y)×P2.X−(P3.X−P2.X)×P2.YIntersection point.X=(D×U−B×V)/(A×D−B×C)Intersection point.Y=(A×V−C×U)/(A×D−B×C)

The evaluation unit 42 obtains a perpendicular center line CL of theup-down direction passing through the intersection point CP. Inaddition, the evaluation unit 42 calculates an indicator 1 indicatingthe left and right area ratio of the trajectory with respect to thecenter line CL. Further, the evaluation unit 42 calculates an indicator2 indicating a ratio of the length of the part at which the line segmentL1 and the line segment L2 are on the left side to the length of thepart at which the line segment L1 and the line segment L2 are on theright side with respect to the center line CL. Further, the evaluationunit 42 calculates an indicator 3 indicating a ratio of decrease amountsof the point P1 and the point P3 from the intersection point CP. Inaddition, the indicators 1 to 3 are examples, and any indicator may beused as long as the left and right balance of the trajectory isindicated. Hereinafter, a method for obtaining the indicators 1 to 3will be described in detail.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the left andright areas of the trajectory with respect to the center line CL. In theexample of FIG. 8, an area S1 on the left side of the trajectory withrespect to the center line CL and an area S2 on the right side of thetrajectory with respect to the center line CL are illustrated. Forexample, when the number of points of the trajectory is N, and thecoordinates of N points are (x_(j), y_(j)), the area S can be obtainedfrom the following equation (1).

$\begin{matrix}{S = {\frac{1}{2}{{\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{\left( {x_{j} - x_{j + 1}} \right) \times \left( {y_{j} + y_{j + 1}} \right)}}}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

The evaluation unit 42 approximates an area of a polygon drawn by thepoint on the left side of the trajectory and the intersection point CPby substituting the coordinates of the point on the left side of thetrajectory and the intersection point CP in the equation (1), as thearea S1 on the left side of the trajectory. The evaluation unit 42approximates an area of a polygon drawn by the point on the right sideof the trajectory and the intersection point CP by substituting thecoordinates of the point on the right side of the trajectory and theintersection point CP in the equation (1), as the area S2 on the rightside of the trajectory. The evaluation unit 42 calculates the area S1 onthe left side of the trajectory÷the area S2 on the right side of thetrajectory, as the value of indicator 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the part atwhich the line segment L1 and the line segment L2 are on the left sideand the part at which the line segment L1 and the line segment L2 are onthe right side with respect to the center line CL. In the example ofFIG. 9, a one-dot chain line is given to the part at which the linesegment L1 and the line segment L2 are on the left side with respect tothe center line CL. In addition, a broken line is given to the part atwhich the line segment L1 and the line segment L2 are on the right sidewith respect to the center line CL. For example, in a case where the XYcoordinates of a point A are (A.X, A.Y) and the XY coordinates of apoint B are (B.X, B.Y), a line segment length (A, B) which is a lengthof the line segments between the point A and the point B is expressed bythe following equation (2).Line segment length (A,B)=[(A.X−B.X)²+(A.Y−B.Y)²]^(1/2)  (2)

The evaluation unit 42 calculates the left line segment length of thepart at which the line segment L1 and the line segment L2 are on theleft side with respect to the center line CL from the followingexpression (3). In addition, the evaluation unit 42 calculates the rightline segment length of the part at which the line segment L1 and theline segment L2 are on the right side with respect to the center line CLfrom the following expression (4).Left line segment length: Line segment length (P0,intersectionpoint)+Line segment length (P3,intersection point)  (3)Right line segment length: Line segment length (P2,intersectionpoint)+Line segment length (P1,intersection point)  (4)

The evaluation unit 42 calculates the left line segment length÷ theright line segment length, as the value of the indicator 2.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the decreaseamounts of the point P1 and the point P3 from the intersection point CP.In the example of FIG. 10, a broken line is given to the part thatbecomes the decrease amount of the point P1 from the intersection pointCP. In addition, a one-dot chain line is given to the part that becomesthe decrease amount of the point P3 from the intersection point CP.

The evaluation unit 42 calculates the right decrease amount of the pointP1 from the intersection point CP from the following expression (5). Theevaluation unit 42 calculates the left decrease amount of the point P3from the intersection point CP from the following expression (6).Right decrease amount: |intersection point.Y−P1.Y|  (5)Left decrease amount: |intersection point.Y−P3.Y|  (6)

The evaluation unit 42 calculates the left decrease amount÷the rightdecrease amount, as the value of the indicator 3.

The evaluation unit 42 evaluates the left and right balance of thetrajectory by using the indicators 1 to 3 for each trajectory of onewalking completion. For example, the evaluation unit 42 evaluateswhether the balance is left or right by the indicators 1 to 3,respectively. Since the indicators 1 to 3 are ratios on the left sidewith respect to the right side, it is possible to evaluate that thebalance collapses to the right side in a case where the ratio is lessthan 1, and that the balance collapses to the left side in a case wherethe ratio is larger than 1. The evaluation unit 42 evaluates the leftand right balance of the movement by majority decision on which of theleft and right balance is evaluated by the indicators 1 to 3.

Here, the left and right balance changes due to the change of the roadsurface or the motion of the horse during the walking, and thetrajectory also changes. Therefore, there is a case where each of theindicators 1 to 3 is not capable of appropriately evaluating the leftand right balance independently. FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagramsillustrating an example in which it is not possible to appropriatelyevaluate the left and right balance. In the example of FIG. 11A, onlywith the indicator 1, since the value is less than 1, it is determinedthat the balance collapses to the right side. However, in the example ofFIG. 11A, the balance actually collapses to the left side, and correctdetermination is possible by using the indicator 2 and the indicator 3.In the example of FIG. 11B, only with the indicator 2, since the valueis less than 1, it is determined that the balance collapses on the rightside. However, in the example of FIG. 11B, the balance actuallycollapses to the left side, and correct determination is possible byusing the indicator 1 and the indicator 3. In the example of FIG. 11C,only with the indicator 3, since the value is less than 1, it isdetermined that the balance collapses to the right side. However, in theexample of FIG. 11C, the balance actually collapses to the left side,and correct determination is possible by using the indicator 1 and theindicator 2. In this manner, the evaluation unit 42 can evaluate theleft and right balance of the movement with high accuracy by performinga majority decision on the evaluation of the indicators 1 to 3.

The determination unit 43 performs various determinations. For example,the determination unit 43 determines the gait of the horse based on themeasurement data 35. For example, the determination unit 43 obtains avalue α of the acceleration in the up-down direction and a square β ofan absolute value of the acceleration from the measurement data 35, andusing α and β, it is determined whether the gait when the horse moves iswalk, trot, canter, or gallop. Since details of the determination of thegait are described in “Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.2015-84943” disclosed by the present applicant, a detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted. In addition, the determination unit 43 maydetermine the gait by using another technology.

FIG. 12A illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a distributionratio of the left and right balance. In the example of FIG. 12A, thedistribution ratio of the left and right balance in a plurality of timesof walking completions of a normal horse in which the lameness does notoccur is illustrated by a pie chart. The left and right balance changesdue to the change of the road surface or the motion of the horse duringthe walking. Therefore, the left and right balance changes for eachwalking completion, but for normal horses, in a case of looking at theplurality of times of walking completions, the left and right balancebecomes mostly equivalent. FIG. 12B illustrates a diagram illustratingan example of the distribution ratio of the left and right balance. Inthe example of FIG. 12B, the distribution ratio of the left and rightbalance in the plurality of times of walking completions of the horse inwhich the lameness occurs is illustrated by a pie chart. Two examplesare illustrated in FIG. 12B. In a case where an abnormality is generatedin a limb, the horse walks while hiding the limb such that the weight isnot applied to the limb having an abnormality. Therefore, in a case oflooking at the plurality of times of walking completions, the left andright balance collapses, and the ratio of determination that there is abalance on the side of the limb which is not hidden (limb in which anabnormality is not generated) increases. In the example of FIG. 12B,since there is a large ratio of determination that there is the balanceon the left side, it is presumed that an abnormality is generated in theright limb when the horse is viewed from the front.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a transition ofevaluation results of the left and right balance for each walkingcompletion for the plurality of times of walking completions. In theexample of FIG. 13, the evaluation results of the left and right balanceare illustrated in order of measurement times for each walkingcompletion with respect to 395 walking completions when training of5-minute rapid walk (trot) is performed. In the example of FIG. 13, apattern is changed in accordance with the evaluation result for eachwalking completion. In the example of FIG. 13, at the beginning of thetraining, the evaluation in which the balance is on the left side andthe evaluation in which the balance is on the right side exist together,and no abnormality is seen. However, in the example of FIG. 13, aftertime T1, the evaluation in which the balance is on the left sidefrequently occurs. From the result, it is presumed that the lamenessoccurs due to the abnormality generated in the right limb when the horseis viewed from the front after time T1.

The candidate identifying unit 44 evaluates the left and right balanceduring the movement based on the measurement data 35 and identifies thecandidate of a limb having a problem. For example, the candidateidentifying unit 44 determines whether or not there is a tilt in theleft and right balance as a result of evaluating the left and rightbalance during the movement from the measurement data 35 by theevaluation unit 42. For example, the candidate identifying unit 44determines that there is a tilt in the left and right balance in a casewhere the ratio of the result of evaluating the left and right balancehas a difference of a predetermined value or more. For example, in thecandidate identifying unit 44, in a case where the ratio of evaluationthat there is a balance on one of the right and left side is larger thanthe ratio of evaluation that there is a balance on the other one of theright and left side by a predetermined value (for example, 20%) or more,it is determined that there is a tilt on one side. In the example ofFIG. 12B, it is determined that there is a tilt on the left side sincethe ratio of evaluation that there is a balance on the left side islarger than the ratio of evaluation that there is a balance on the rightside by 20% or more. In addition, the candidate identifying unit 44 mayevaluate the left and right balance from all of the distribution ratiosof the left and right balance as illustrated in FIG. 12A. In addition,the candidate identifying unit 44 may evaluate the evaluation result ofthe left and right balance for each one walking completion arranged inthe order of the measurement times illustrated in FIG. 13 from thedistribution ratio of the left and right balance from the beginning foreach predetermined step (for example, 20 steps).

In a case where the candidate identifying unit 44 determines that thereis a tilt in the left and right balance, the candidate identifying unit44 identifies the candidate for a limb having a problem in which thelameness occurs. In a case where there is a tilt on the right side, thecandidate identifying unit 44 identifies the left forelimb and the righthindlimb as candidates for a limb having a problem, and in a case wherethere is a tilt on the left side, the candidate identifying unit 44identifies the right forelimb and the left hindlimb as candidates for alimb having a problem.

Here, the lameness is found in walk and trot, and in particular, thelameness is likely to be found in trot. This is because, in a case wherethe horse is running in canter or gallop, the horse concentrates onrunning and the lameness is unlikely to occur even when someabnormalities are generated in the four limbs. Therefore, the candidateidentifying unit 44 identifies the candidate for a limb having a problemfrom the result of evaluating the left and right balance when the horsemoves in the gait of walk or trot.

The problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies a limb having a problemamong the limbs which are considered as the candidates for a limb havinga problem identified by the candidate identifying unit 44.

Here, there is a case where a horse performs a nutation movement in acase where there are some abnormalities in four limbs and the lamenessoccurs. The nutation movement is a movement in which a horse moves thehead up and down when the pain is felt in a limb. In a case of lamenessof forelimbs, the horse performs the nutation movement that shakes thehead upward. In a case of lameness of hindlimbs, the horse performs thenutation movement that shakes the head upward.

Here, the problem limb identifying unit 45 detects the nutation movementfrom the measurement data 35, and identifies a limb having a problemamong the limbs which are the candidates for a limb having a problembased on the detection result of the nutation movement. For example, ina case where the upward nutation movement is detected when moving theforelimb and the hindlimb which are considered as the candidates for alimb having a problem from the measurement data 35, the problem limbidentifying unit 45 identifies the forelimb considered as the candidatefor a limb having a problem as a limb having a problem. In addition, ina case where the downward nutation movement is detected when moving theforelimb and the hindlimb which are considered as the candidates for alimb having a problem, the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifiesthe hindlimb considered as a candidate for a limb having a problem as alimb having a problem. The problem limb identifying unit 45 determineswhether or not the acceleration equal to or greater than a predeterminedvalue which is considered as the nutation movement in the upwarddirection or in the downward direction is generated, in the measurementdata 35 during the movement of the forelimb and the hindlimb which areconsidered as the candidates for a limb having a problem. The problemlimb identifying unit 45 determines that the upward nutation movementhas occurred in a case where the acceleration equal to or greater than apredetermined value is generated in the upward direction, and determinesthat the downward nutation movement has occurred in a case where theacceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value is generatedin the downward direction. In addition, the problem limb identifyingunit 45 may detect the nutation movement from the upward or downwardmoving velocity. For example, the problem limb identifying unit 45 maydetermine that the upward nutation movement has occurred in a case wherethe moving velocity equal to or greater than a predetermined value whichis considered as the nutation movement is generated in the upwarddirection, and may determine that the downward nutation movement hasoccurred in a case where the moving velocity equal to or greater than apredetermined value which is considered as the nutation movement isgenerated in the downward direction.

The problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the forelimb which isconsidered as the candidate for a limb having a problem as a limb havinga problem in a case where the upward nutation movement is detected, andidentifies the hindlimb which is considered as the candidate for a limbhaving a problem as a limb having a problem in a case where the downwardnutation movement is detected.

In addition, in a case where the horse has some abnormalities in thehindlimbs and the lameness occurs, there is a case where the left andright balance is reversed in the gait of trot and the gait of walk.Meanwhile, in a case where the horse has some abnormalities in theforelimbs and the lameness occurs, the left and right balance is notreversed in the gait of trot and the gait of walk.

Here, the problem limb identifying unit 45 evaluates whether the gait oftrot and the gait of walk of the evaluation data 36 are deviated toeither the left side or the right side respectively. For example, theproblem limb identifying unit 45 determines that there is a tilt in theleft and right balance in the gait of trot by the candidate identifyingunit 44, and determines whether or not there is a difference of apredetermined value or more in the ratio of the result of evaluating theleft and right balance of the gait of walk in a case where the nutationmovement is not detected. The problem limb identifying unit 45determines that there is a tilt in the left and right balance in a casewhere there is a difference of a predetermined value or more in theratio of the result of evaluating the balance. The problem limbidentifying unit 45 identifies the hindlimb considered as the candidatefor a limb having a problem as a limb having a problem in a case wherethe left and right balance is reversed in the gait of trot and the gaitof walk. In addition, the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifiesthe forelimb considered as the candidate for a limb having a problem asa limb having a problem in a case where the left and right balance isnot reversed in the gait of trot and the gait of walk.

Incidentally, when the lameness occurs in the horse, an asymmetricmotion waveform when the horse moves in the gait of walk and trotappears. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a limb having a problemfrom the motion waveform when the horse moves in the gait of walk andtrot. For example, in the candidate identifying unit 44, in a case wherethere is no tilt in the left and right balance and it is not possible toidentify the candidate for a limb having a problem by the candidateidentifying unit 44, based on the measurement data 35, any of the motionwaveforms in the up-down direction, in the left-right direction, in theyaw axis direction, and in the front-rear direction when the horse movesin a gait of trot are obtained. For example, the candidate identifyingunit 44 obtains the acceleration in the up-down direction, theacceleration in the left-right direction, and the acceleration in thefront-rear direction, from the accelerations in the three axialdirections and the angular velocities of three axes which are stored inthe measurement data 35. Further, the evaluation unit 42 obtains theacceleration in the yaw axis direction, from the accelerations in thethree axial directions and the angular velocities of the three axeswhich are stored in the measurement data 35. The candidate identifyingunit 44 obtains the motion waveforms indicating changes in accelerationin the up-down direction, acceleration in the left-right direction,acceleration in the yaw axis direction, and acceleration in thefront-rear direction when the horse moves in the gait of trot. Inaddition, the candidate identifying unit 44 obtains the motion waveformsindicating changes in velocity in the up-down direction, velocity in theleft-right direction, velocity in the yaw axis direction, and velocityin the front-rear direction, from the acceleration in the up-downdirection, the acceleration in the left-right direction, theacceleration in the yaw axis direction, and the acceleration in thefront-rear direction when the horse moves in the gait of trot.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a direction with respect to the horse.The measurement device 11 is attached in front of the chest of thehorse. In the example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the upward directionwith respect to the horse is positive in the up-down direction, and thedownward direction with respect to the horse is negative in the up-downdirection. Further, in the example, the rightward direction with respectto the traveling direction of the horse is positive in the left-rightdirection and the leftward direction with respect to the travelingdirection of the horse is negative in the left-right direction. Inaddition, in the example, the rightward turning direction with respectto the upward axis of the up-down direction of the horse is positive inthe yaw axis direction and the leftward turning direction with respectto the upward axis in the up-down direction of the horse is negative asthe yaw axis direction.

FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram schematically illustrating a positionalrelationship of four limbs when the horse moves. FIG. 15 illustrates thepositional relationship of four limbs of the horse of (1) walk and (2)trot. FIG. 15 schematically illustrates the positional relationship offour limbs of the horse of each gait on the left side of the drawing,and illustrates the presence or absence of grounding of each limb (rightforelimb, left forelimb, right hindlimb, and left hindlimb) in periodsindicated by “1” to “8” of each gait on the right side of each schematicdiagram. In addition, in FIG. 15, although the four limbs are also seento be in contact with the ground in the period indicated by “1” or “4”in trot, when confirming the actual data in detail, switching of limbsis quickly performed in the periods, and the time when the body of thehorse is floating exists.

At the time of the trot, as illustrated in (2) of FIG. 15, the horsetrots and moves the right forelimb and the left hindlimb, and the leftforelimb and the right hindlimb in pair.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating the movement of the horse when moving introt. As illustrated in FIG. 16, in a case where the measurement device11 is attached in front of the chest of the horse, the sign of theangular velocity of the yaw axis is reversed at the timing when theforelimb swing leg of the horse is advanced forward. In addition, sincethe weight is applied to the left forelimb which is a support leg, theposition of the chest is accelerated in the negative direction of theleft-right direction. In addition, since the weight is put on theforelimb support leg and the body is bounced upward, the acceleration inthe up-down direction becomes a waveform of a positive sign. Further, ata landing timing of the forelimb support leg, the sign of theacceleration in the up-down direction of the horse is reversed to thepositive.

FIG. 17 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a motionwaveform indicating a change in acceleration in the up-down direction,acceleration in the left-right direction, and acceleration in the yawaxis direction when moving in trot. In a case of the trot, the horseapplies the weight to the support leg (the body sinks first) at the sametime when advancing the swing leg forward, and then the body is bouncedupward. At this time, the body of the horse is tilted toward the supportleg side. Therefore, the acceleration in the up-down direction, theacceleration in the left-right direction, and the acceleration in theyaw axis direction draw the motion waveform illustrated in FIG. 17.

When the lameness occurs, the horse hides the limb in which the lamenessoccurs, and thus, the left and right balance tends to collapse. Forexample, when the swing leg hurts, the horse reduces the velocity ofadvancing the limb. Therefore, the wavelength of the acceleration or thevelocity becomes small. In addition, the horse tries to make the swingleg land quickly when the support leg hurts. Therefore, the amplitude ofthe acceleration or the velocity becomes small. Accordingly, forexample, the motion waveform of the angular velocity of the yaw axis orthe acceleration becomes asymmetric. In addition, the horse tries not toapply the weight to the leg when the support leg hurts. Therefore, themotion waveform of the velocity or the acceleration in the up-downdirection, the motion waveform of the velocity or the acceleration inthe left-right direction, the velocity or the acceleration in the yawaxis direction become asymmetric in a case where the side which does nothurt is the support leg and in a case where the side which huts is thesupport leg.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain a limb having a problem from themotion waveform when the horse moves. For example, as described above,at the time of the trot, the horse trots and moves the right forelimband the left hindlimb, and the left forelimb and the right hindlimb inpair. Therefore, for example, when the lameness occurs in the horse,lateral asymmetry appears regularly in the motion waveform at the timeof the trot. In a case where asymmetry appears regularly in the motionwaveform, the candidates for a limb having a problem are narrowed downto the right forelimb and the left hindlimb, or the left forelimb andthe right hindlimb.

Here, as a result of evaluating the left and right balance at the timeof the movement by the evaluation unit 42, the candidate identifyingunit 44 determines the presence of absence of the lameness from thesymmetry of the motion waveform in any of the up-down direction, theleft-right direction, and the yaw axis direction when the horse moves inthe gait of trot in a case where there is no tilt in the left and rightbalance. For example, the symmetry of the motion waveform may beevaluated by the amplitude (peak value) of the waveform, may beevaluated by the wavelength of the waveform, or may be evaluated by thearea of the waveform.

FIG. 18A illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the motionwaveform of the acceleration in the up-down direction when the lamenessoccurs. When the lameness occurs, the horse hides the limb in which thelameness occurs, and thus, the motion waveform when moving the limb inwhich the lameness occurs becomes small. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 18A, the rhythm of high mountain and low mountain appearsrepeatedly in the motion waveform of the acceleration in the up-downdirection. FIG. 18B illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of themotion waveform of the acceleration in the up-down direction and themotion waveform of the angular velocity in the yaw axis direction in acase where the lameness occurs. FIG. 18B illustrates a diagram in whichthe motion waveform of the acceleration in the up-down directionillustrated in FIG. 18A and the motion waveform of angular velocity inthe yaw axis direction overlap each other. In a case where the horseadvances the right forelimb forward, the angular velocity in the yawaxis direction turns toward the positive side, and in a case where thehorse advances the left forelimb forward, the angular velocity in theyaw axis direction turns toward the negative side. From this, it ispossible to determine which of the right forelimb and the left forelimbis advanced when a small motion waveform is generated in the up-downdirection by the angular velocity in the yaw axis direction. In a caseof a right turn (turning toward the positive side in the yaw axisdirection in FIG. 18B) in the yaw axis direction when the motionwaveform smaller than a predetermined ratio (for example, 80%) in theup-down direction is generated, the candidate identifying unit 44identifies the left forelimb and the right hindlimb as the candidatesfor a limb having a problem. In addition, in a case of the left turn(turning toward the positive side in the yaw axis direction in FIG. 18B)in the yaw axis direction when the motion waveform smaller than apredetermined ratio in the up-down direction is generated, the candidateidentifying unit 44 identifies the right forelimb and the left hindlimbas the candidates for a limb having a problem. In addition, thecandidates for a limb having a problem may be identified from theevaluation in the plurality of steps. For example, the candidateidentifying unit 44 may identify the candidate for a limb having aproblem in a case where the same limb is considered as a candidate at apredetermined ratio (for example, 80%) or more in the plurality ofsteps.

In a case where the candidate for a limb having a problem is identifiedin the gait of trot, the problem limb identifying unit 45 reads out thedata at the time of the gait of walk from the measurement data 35 andobtains the motion waveform when the horse moves in the gait of walk.For example, the problem limb identifying unit 45 obtains the motionwaveform in any of the up-down direction, the left-right direction, andthe yaw axis direction when the horse moves in the gait of walk. Inaddition, the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the limbhaving a problem from the symmetry of the motion waveform in the gait ofwalk. For example, the problem limb identifying unit 45 obtains themotion waveform in any of the up-down direction, the left-rightdirection, and the yaw axis direction when the horse moves in the gaitof walk. The problem limb identifying unit 45 determines whether or notan asymmetric motion waveform appears in the obtained motion waveform.For example, the symmetry of the motion waveform may be evaluated by theamplitude of the waveform, may be evaluated by the wavelength of thewaveform, or may be evaluated by the area of the waveform. In a casewhere the asymmetric motion waveform appears, the problem limbidentifying unit 45 determines whether or not an asymmetric disorder isinterlocked with any limb identified as the candidate for a limb havinga problem. The problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies aninterlocking limb as a limb having a problem in a case where thedisorder is interlocked with any limb identified as the candidate for alimb having a problem.

FIG. 19A illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the motionwaveforms in a case where the lameness occurs. FIG. 19A illustratesground-off and landing timings of the right forelimb and the leftforelimb. A method for obtaining the ground-off and landing timings ofeach of the limbs of the horse in the walk will be described later. Inthe example of FIG. 19A, the acceleration in the left-right directionbecomes asymmetric, the motion waveform on the left side (the negativeside in FIG. 19A) is larger than that on the right side (positive sidein FIG. 19A), and the body of the horse is tilted to the left sideduring the ground-off of the right forelimb. In this case, the horsefeels pain at the ground-off timing of the right forelimb or the landingtiming of the right hindlimb.

The problem limb identifying unit 45 first determines that the horsefeels pain at the landing timing of the right forelimb or at theground-off timing of the right hindlimb in a case where a large motionwaveform is generated on the left side in the motion waveform of theacceleration in the left-right direction. In addition, the problem limbidentifying unit 45 first determines that the horse feels pain at theground-off timing of the left forelimb or at the landing timing of theleft hindlimb in a case where a large motion waveform is generated onthe right side in the motion waveform of the acceleration in theleft-right direction. In the example of FIG. 19A, the left forelimb andthe right hindlimb are first determined as the candidates for a limbhaving a problem.

In the example of FIG. 19A, the problem limb identifying unit 45determines that the sinking (acceleration in the negative direction)after the landing of the right hindlimb has a smaller amplitude and ashorter waveform compared to the immediately previous floating(acceleration in the positive direction) or the sinking one step before,from the motion waveform of the acceleration in the up-down direction.Accordingly, it is determined that there was a pain at the time oflanding and there was a movement to avoid the load.

FIG. 19B illustrates a diagram illustrating another example of themotion waveforms in a case where the lameness occurs. FIG. 19Billustrates the ground-off and landing timings of the right forelimb andthe left forelimb. In the example of FIG. 19B, the period from theground-off to the landing of the right forelimb (hereinafter, describedas throwing) is different from the time during the throwing of the leftforelimb. In addition, the peak of the angular velocity of the yaw axisduring the throwing of the right forelimb is smaller than the peakduring the throwing of the left forelimb. From this, the example in FIG.19B is “a state where the right limb is difficult to be advancedforward”. In the “state where the right limb is difficult to be advancedforward”, a case where there is a problem in the right forelimb itselfwhich is being thrown and a case where there is a problem in other limbsto which the load is applied by raising the right forelimb, areconsidered, but the asymmetry is not seen in the acceleration componentin the up-down direction and the acceleration component in theleft-right direction. From this, the example in FIG. 19B is determinedas a right forelimb lameness (there is a pain at the time ofground-off).

The problem limb identifying unit 45 determines “a state where the rightlimb is difficult to be advanced forward” in a case where the peak ofthe angular velocity of the yaw axis during the right forelimb throwingis smaller than the peak during the left forelimb throwing. In addition,the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the right forelimb as alimb having a problem in a case where the asymmetry is not seen in theacceleration component in the up-down direction and the accelerationcomponent in the left-right direction. In addition, the problem limbidentifying unit 45 determines “a state where the left limb is difficultto be advanced forward” in a case where the peak of the angular velocityof the yaw axis during the left forelimb throwing is smaller than thepeak during the right forelimb throwing. In addition, the problem limbidentifying unit 45 identifies the left forelimb as a limb having aproblem in a case where the asymmetry is not seen in the accelerationcomponent in the up-down direction and the acceleration component in theleft-right direction.

In addition, it is possible to obtain a limb having a problem from themotion waveform when the horse moves in the gait of walk. The horsemoves each limb separately as illustrated in (1) of FIG. 15 at the timeof the walk.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating the movement of the horse when moving inwalk. As illustrated in FIG. 20, in a case where the measurement device11 is attached in front of the chest of the horse, the sign of theangular velocity of the yaw axis is reversed at the timing when theforelimb of the horse is advanced forward. For example, the angularvelocity of the yaw axis is reversed to the negative side at the timingwhen the left forelimb is advanced forward. In addition, at the timingof landing of the forelimbs, since the weight is put on the landing limband the body stretches upward, the acceleration in the up-down directionis reversed to the positive side. In addition, at the timing when theleft forelimb is advanced forward, the position of the chest isaccelerated in the positive direction of the left-right direction.

FIG. 21 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the motionwaveforms indicating a change in acceleration in the up-down direction,acceleration in the left-right direction, and acceleration in the yawaxis direction when moving in trot. In the horse, the sign of theangular velocity of the yaw axis is reversed at the timing when theforelimb advances forward, the right forelimb advances forward in a casewhere the acceleration in the yaw axis direction increases in the leftturn direction, and the left forelimb advances forward in a case wherethe acceleration in the yaw axis direction increases in the right turndirection. In addition, since the horse puts the weight on the landinglimb and moves the body stretching upward at the landing timing of theforelimb, the acceleration in the up-down direction is reversed from thenegative side to the positive side and the acceleration in the up-downdirection becomes a waveform having a positive sign. Further, in thehorse, the yaw axis direction turns leftward at the landing timing ofthe right forelimb, and the yaw axis direction turns rightward at thelanding timing of the left forelimb. In addition, the horse has theground-off timing of the left and right hindlimbs at a position half theground-off timing of the left and right forelimbs. Further, the horsehas the landing timing of the left and right hindlimbs at a positionhalf the landing timing of the left and right forelimbs.

The distinguishing unit 46 distinguishes the ground-off and landingtimings of each of the four limbs of the horse from the motion waveformwhen the horse moves in the gait of walk. For example, thedistinguishing unit 46 distinguishes the ground-off and landing timingsof each of the four limbs of the horse from the motion waveforms in theup-down direction and in the yaw axis direction when the horse moves inthe gait of walk. For example, the distinguishing unit 46 distinguishesthe point of time at which the positive side and negative side of theacceleration in the yaw axis direction are reversed, as the ground-offtiming of the right forelimb when the acceleration in the yaw axisdirection increases in the left turn direction from the point of timeand the ground-off timing of the left forelimb when the acceleration inthe yaw axis direction increases in the right turn direction from thepoint of time. In addition, for example, the distinguishing unit 46distinguishes the point of time at which the acceleration in the up-downdirection is reversed from the negative side to the positive side, asthe landing timing of the right forelimb when the yaw axis direction isthe left turn direction at the point of time and the landing timing ofthe left forelimb when the yaw axis direction is the right turndirection at the point of time. Further, for example, the distinguishingunit 46 distinguishes an intermediate timing between the ground-offtiming of the right forelimb and the ground-off timing of the leftforelimb as the ground-off timing of the left hindlimb. Thedistinguishing unit 46 distinguishes an intermediate timing between theground-off timing of the left forelimb and the ground-off timing of theright forelimb as the ground-off timing of the right hindlimb. Thedistinguishing unit 46 distinguishes an intermediate timing between thelanding timing of the right forelimb and the landing timing of the leftforelimb as the landing timing of the left hindlimb. The distinguishingunit 46 distinguishes an intermediate timing between the landing timingof the left forelimb and the landing timing of the right forelimb as thelanding timing of the right hindlimb. In FIG. 21, the ground-off timingsof each of the limbs (right forelimb, left forelimb, right hindlimb, andleft hindlimb) are illustrated on the upper side, and the landingtimings of each of the limbs are illustrated on the lower side.

The problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the limb interlockedwith the disorder of the motion waveform based on the ground-off andlanding timings of each of the four limbs of the horse distinguished bythe distinguishing unit 46. For example, the problem limb identifyingunit 45 identifies a limb having an abnormality based on the motionwaveforms in at least one of the left-right direction, the front-reardirection, the up-down direction, and the yaw axis direction.

FIG. 22 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the motionwaveforms in a case where the lameness occurs. In the example of FIG.22, when the angular velocity in the yaw axis direction takes a negativevalue, that is, in a case where the left forelimb is a swing leg, therotation speed slows down, and a bimodal waveform is generated. Thetiming of the generation of the bimodal waveform is the intermediatepoint between the time at which the left forelimb becomes a swing legand the time at which the right forelimb becomes the swing leg, that is,the timing to move the right hindlimb.

Further, in the example of FIG. 22, the peak waveform in which theangular velocity in the yaw axis direction takes a positive value is apointed waveform tilted to the left side. This indicates a behavior inwhich the horse desires to take off the right forelimb quickly and toavoid the pain of right hindlimb since the painful right hindlimbsupports the right side. In addition, when paying attention to the halfwavelength of the motion waveform of one cycle, the period of thewaveform taking a positive value is shorter than the period of thewaveform taking a negative value. This also indicates a behavior inwhich the horse slowly performs a motion of the painful right hindlimband to avoid the pain of the right hindlimb.

In a case where the bimodal waveform is generated, the problem limbidentifying unit 45 identifies the limb that corresponds to the timingof generation of the bimodal waveform as a limb having an abnormality.In the example of FIG. 22, for example, the problem limb identifyingunit 45 identifies the right hindlimb as a limb having an abnormalitysince the bimodal waveform is generated at the intermediate pointbetween the time at which the left forelimb becomes the swing leg andthe time at which the right forelimb becomes the swing leg, that is, thetiming of moving the right hindlimb.

In addition, in a case where the pointed peak waveform tilted to theleft side is generated, the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifiesthe limb that corresponds to the timing of generation of the peakwaveform as the limb having an abnormality. Further, in a case wherethere is a difference of a predetermined ratio (for example, 85%) ormore between the period of a waveform taking a positive value of themotion waveform in one cycle and the period of the waveform taking thenegative value, the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the limbthat corresponds to the period of the waveform as a limb having anabnormality.

FIG. 23 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the motionwaveforms in a normal state where the lameness does not occur. In a casewhere the lameness does not occur, the acceleration in the front-reardirection has a waveform with the same frequency as the acceleration inthe up-down direction. This indicates that the horse goes forward bystretching the body upward and forward starting from the landing of theforelimb. The waveform of the acceleration in the front-rear directionhas a phase difference with the waveform of the acceleration in theup-down direction. This is because the point at which the accelerationin the up-down direction changes from the positive side to the negativeside, which is the landing timing, exactly indicates the point ofsinking by applying the weight to the so-called “tether” of the supportlegs after the landing. Meanwhile, the acceleration in the front-reardirection is for starting the acceleration in the forward directioninterlocking with the movement of the swing limb. FIG. 24 is a viewillustrating a landing flow of the horse while walking. As illustratedin FIG. 24, when the horse lands, the horse is in a state of sinking byapplying the weight to the so-called “tether”. The acceleration in theup-down direction becomes the 0 point of time at which the accelerationchanges from the negative side to the positive side. In addition,depending on the timing of limb carrying, there is also a case where theacceleration in the up-down direction and the acceleration in theforward direction start at the same time. The motion waveform in FIG. 23is an example.

FIG. 25 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the motionwaveforms in a case where the lameness occurs. In the example of FIG.25, the waveform of the acceleration in the front-rear direction issynchronized with the waveform of the acceleration in the up-downdirection. In addition, in the example of FIG. 25, when the angularvelocity in the yaw axis direction in the landing of the forelimb takesa positive value, that is, in a case where the left forelimb is thesupport leg, the area of the waveform of the acceleration in thefront-rear direction becomes small. This is the result of prioritizingthe movement to make the swing leg of the right forelimb land quickly soas to hide the painful right hindlimb, and the waveform of theacceleration in the front-rear direction becomes asymmetric in the leftand right periods.

The problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the limb thatcorresponds to the period of the waveform of the small area as a limbhaving a problem in a case where the area of the waveform of theacceleration in the front-rear direction has a difference of apredetermined ratio (for example, 85%) or more.

In addition, the problem limb identifying unit 45 may also identify alimb having a problem from the deviation degree obtained by comparing anideal waveform with an actual waveform. For example, the problem limbidentifying unit 45 may identify a limb having a problem from thedeviation degree obtained by comparing the ideal waveform with theactual waveform for the motion waveform in at least one of theleft-right direction, the front-rear direction, the up-down direction,and the yaw axis direction.

FIG. 26 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of the motionwaveforms. FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a result obtained byoverlapping the ideal waveform and the actual waveform of the angularvelocity in the yaw axis direction. The ideal waveform is, for example,as follows.Wavelength=upper half wavelength of actual waveform to be compared+lowerhalf wavelength of actual waveformAmplitude=values with large amplitude on upper side and lower side ofactual waveform to be comparedFrequency=1/wavelengthElapsed time=elapsed time considering start time of shorter waveform ofhalf wavelength as start pointIdeal value=amplitude×sin(2π×frequency×elapsed time)

Since the motion of the painful limb becomes slow, the half wavelengthis long. By drawing the ideal waveform from the shorter waveform of thehalf wavelength that does not hurt, a deviation point from the idealvalue can be detected.

The problem limb identifying unit 45 may obtain the ideal waveform andmay identify the limb that corresponds to the ground-off and landingtimings in the period in which the actual waveform deviates from theideal waveform by a predetermined ratio (for example, 85%) or more as alimb having a problem. The problem limb identifying unit 45 compares theideal value with the actual waveform and identifies the deviation pointthat is separated by a predetermined ratio. In addition, the problemlimb identifying unit 45 may identify the point at which the ideal valueand the peak value of the actual waveform are separated from each otherby a predetermined ratio or more as the deviation point.

FIG. 27 illustrates a diagram for describing identification of a limbhaving a problem. In FIG. 27, the motion waveform of the acceleration inthe front-rear direction, the motion waveform of the acceleration in theup-down direction, and the motion waveform of the angular velocity inthe yaw axis direction are illustrated. In addition, in FIG. 27, anideal motion waveform of the yaw axis is illustrated. In addition, inFIG. 27, corresponding to each of the four limbs, a time differencebetween the ground-off and landing points of time of each of the fourlimbs in a jaggy mountain-shaped waveform is illustrated. A waveformRF_T indicates the time difference from the ground-off timing of theright forelimb. A waveform RH_T indicates the time difference from theground-off timing of the right hindlimb. A waveform LF_T indicates thetime difference from the ground-off timing of the left forelimb. Awaveform LH_T indicates the time difference from the ground-off timingof the left hindlimb. A waveform RF_L indicates the time difference fromthe landing timing of the right forelimb. A waveform RH_L indicates thetime difference from the landing timing of the right hindlimb. Awaveform LF_L indicates the time difference from the landing timing ofthe left forelimb. A waveform LH_L indicates the time difference fromthe landing timing of the left hindlimb. The waveforms RF_T, RH_T, LF_T,and LH_T are the timings at which each of the four limbs is taken off atthe point of time when each of the waveforms becomes zero. The waveformsRF_L, RH_L, LF_L, and LH_L are the timings at which each of the fourlimbs lands at the point of time when each of the waveforms becomeszero. Here, at timing t1 of the landing of the right hindlimb, thedeviation occurs between the actual motion waveform of the angularvelocity in the yaw axis direction and the ideal motion waveform, andthe problem occurs. Immediately before timing t1, timing t2 at which thedeviation between the actual motion waveform of the angular velocity inthe yaw axis direction and the ideal motion waveform disappears becomesa point of time at which the problem occurs. In the example of FIG. 27,a problem occurrence time point and a point that matches the ground-offand landing timings of the four limbs do not exist. In this case, theproblem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the limb that corresponds tothe problem occurrence time point as a limb having an abnormality. Forexample, the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies which limb ismoved and how the limb is moved when the pain occurs, from the timedifference between the problem occurrence time point and the deviationtime point of the four limbs. In the example of FIG. 27, in thedirection in which the difference between the actual motion waveform ofthe angular velocity in the yaw axis direction and the ideal motionwaveform increases, the most possible phenomenon is the ground-off ofthe right hindlimb. From this, it is presumed that the pain occursimmediately before the phenomenon, that is, at the point of time whenthe muscles of the limb is moved for lifting up the right hindlimb fromthe ground surface, and the pain becomes large in accordance with themotion of bending the joint. In this manner, it is possible to identifywhich limb is moved and how the limb is moved when the pain occurs, fromthe time difference between the problem occurrence time point and thedeviation time point of the four limbs. For example, in a case where thedeviation occurs between the actual motion waveform and the ideal motionwaveform, the problem limb identifying unit 45 may identify the problemoccurrence time point (timing t2) at which the deviation disappearsimmediately before, and may identify the limb which is taken off orlands at the timing closest to the problem occurrence time point as alimb having a problem. In the example of FIG. 27, since the waveformclosest to zero at timing t2 is the waveform RH_T of the ground-off ofthe right hindlimb, the right hindlimb is identified as a limb having aproblem.

The output unit 47 outputs various types of outputs regarding theidentification result of a limb having a problem. For example, in a casewhere the limb having a problem is identified, the output unit 47outputs a screen that displays the name of the identified limb to thedisplay unit 31. In addition, in a case where the limb having a problemis identified by two options, the output unit 47 outputs the screen thatdisplays the names of the limbs which are two options to the displayunit 31. In addition, in a case where the limb having a problem is notidentified, the output unit 47 outputs the screen that displays thecontents that there is no limb having a problem to the display unit 31.

[Processing Flow]

Next, the flow of the estimation processing in which the estimationdevice 12 according to the example estimates the limb having a problemthat causes the lameness will be described. FIG. 28A (i.e. FIGS. 28A-1and 28A-2) to FIG. 28C (i.e. FIGS. 28C-1 and 28C-2) are flowchartsillustrating an example of a procedure of the estimation processing. Theestimation processing is executed at a predetermined timing, forexample, at a timing of receiving an instruction to start processingfrom the input unit 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 28A (i.e. FIGS. 28A-1 and 28A-2), the evaluationunit 42 evaluates the left and right balance of the movement of thehorse for each walking completion based on the measurement data 35(S10). For example, the evaluation unit 42 reads out the measurementdata 35 and obtains the trajectory of the position in front of the chestof the horse on the plane from the measurement data 35. In addition, theevaluation unit 42 obtains the point P0 which is the maximum point onthe left side, the point P1 which is the minimum point on the rightside, the point P2 which is the maximum point on the right side, and thepoint P3 which is the minimum point on the left side, in the trajectoryof the position in front of the chest from the trajectory, and evaluatesthe left and right balance of the trajectory for each walkingcompletion.

For example, the determination unit 43 obtains the value α of theacceleration in the up-down direction and the square β of the absolutevalue of the acceleration from the measurement data 35, and using α andβ, the gait when the horse moves is determined (S11). In addition, thedetermination unit 43 may determine the gait when the horse moves foreach of the plurality of walking completions of the measurement data 35.Further, the determination unit 43 may determine the gait when the horsemoves from the data for each of the predetermined periods of themeasurement data 35.

The candidate identifying unit 44 initializes the limb having a problemto be undecided (S12). The determination unit 43 determines whether ornot there is a trot in the determined gait (S13). In a case where thereis no trot in the determined gait (No in S13), the process proceeds toS100 in FIG. 28C-1 which will be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where there is a trot in the determined gait (Yesin S13), the candidate identifying unit 44 determines whether or not theleft and right balance in the trot is normal as a result of evaluatingthe left and right balance at the time of the movement by the evaluationunit 42 (S14). The candidate identifying unit 44 determines that theleft and right balance is normal when there is no tilt in the left andright balance in the trot. In a case where the left and right balance isnormal (Yes in S14), the process proceeds to S40 which will be describedlater.

Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance in the trot is notnormal (No in S14), the candidate identifying unit 44 determines whetheror not the left and right balance is tilted to the right side (S15). Ina case where the left and right balance is not tilted to the right side(No in S15), the candidate identifying unit 44 identifies the rightforelimb and the left forelimb as the candidates for a limb having aproblem (S16).

The problem limb identifying unit 45 determines whether or not thenutation movement has been detected when moving the forelimb and thehindlimb which are considered as the candidates for a limb having aproblem from the measurement data 35 (S17). In a case where the nutationmovement is detected (Yes in S17), the problem limb identifying unit 45determines whether or not the upward nutation movement has been detected(S18). In a case where the upward nutation movement is detected (Yes inS18), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the right forelimbas a limb having a problem (S19). Meanwhile, in a case where the upwardnutation movement is not detected (No in S18), the problem limbidentifying unit 45 identifies the left hindlimb as a limb having aproblem (S20). In addition, the process proceeds to S40 which will bedescribed later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the nutation movement is not detected (No inS17), the candidate identifying unit 44 extracts the gait data of walkfrom the measurement data 35 (S21). The candidate identifying unit 44determines whether or not the left and right balance in the gait of walkis normal (S22). In a case where the left and right balance is normal(Yes in S22), the process proceeds to S40 which will be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance is not normal (Noin S22), it is determined whether or not the left and right balance isreversed in trot and walk (S23). In a case where the left and rightbalance is reversed (Yes in S23), the problem limb identifying unit 45identifies the left hindlimb as a limb having a problem (S24).Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance is not reversed(No in S23), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the rightforelimb as a limb having a problem (S25). In addition, the processproceeds to S40 which will be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance is tilted to theright side (Yes in S15), as illustrated in FIG. 28B, the candidateidentifying unit 44 identifies the left forelimb and the right hindlimbas the candidates for a limb having a problem (S30).

The problem limb identifying unit 45 determines whether or not thenutation movement has been detected when moving the forelimb and thehindlimb which are considered as the candidates for a limb having aproblem from the measurement data 35 (S31). In a case where the nutationmovement is detected (Yes in S31), the problem limb identifying unit 45determines whether or not the upward nutation movement has been detected(S32). In a case where the upward nutation movement is detected (Yes inS32), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the left forelimbas a limb having a problem (S33). Meanwhile, in a case where the upwardnutation movement is not detected (No in S32), the problem limbidentifying unit 45 identifies the right hindlimb as a limb having aproblem (S34). In addition, the process proceeds to S40 which will bedescribed later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the nutation movement is not detected (No inS31), the candidate identifying unit 44 extracts the gait data of walkfrom the measurement data 35 (S35). The candidate identifying unit 44determines whether or not the left and right balance in the gait of walkis normal (S36). In a case where the left and right balance is normal(Yes in S36), the process proceeds to S40 which will be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance is not normal (Noin S36), it is determined whether or not the left and right balance isreversed in trot and walk (S37). In a case where the left and rightbalance is reversed (Yes in S37), the problem limb identifying unit 45identifies the right hindlimb as a limb having a problem (S38).Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance is not reversed(No in S37), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the leftforelimb as a limb having a problem (S39). In addition, the processproceeds to S40 which will be described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 28A, the problem limb identifying unit 45executes first waveform analysis processing (S40).

FIG. 29 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedureof the first waveform analysis processing. The first waveform analysisprocessing is executed from S40 of the estimation processing.

As illustrated in FIG. 29, the problem limb identifying unit 45determines whether or not the limb having a problem is undecided (S50).In a case where the limb having a problem has not yet been identified,it is determined that the limb having a problem is undecided. In a casewhere the limb having a problem is identified and the limb having aproblem is not undecided (No in S50), the process proceeds to S56 whichwill be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the limb having a problem is undecided (Yesin S50), the candidate identifying unit 44 obtains the motion waveformsin any of the up-down direction, the left-right direction, the yaw axisdirection, and the front-rear direction when the horse moves in the gaitof trot based on the measurement data 35, and determines whether or notasymmetry regularly appears in the motion waveform (S51). In a casewhere the asymmetry does not regularly appear in the motion waveform (Noin S51), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies that there isno limb having a problem (S52), and the process proceeds to S41 of theestimation processing.

Meanwhile, in a case where the asymmetry regularly appears in the motionwaveform (Yes in S51), the candidate identifying unit 44 determineswhether or not the yaw axis turns rightward at the timing of advancingthe hidden limb (S53). Here, for example, when the lameness occurs, thehorse hides the limb in which the lameness occurs, and thus, the motionwaveform of the acceleration in the up-down direction when moving thelimb in which the lameness occurs becomes small. For example, thecandidate identifying unit 44 determines whether or not the yaw axisturns rightward at the timing when the motion waveform smaller than apredetermined ratio is generated in the up-down direction. In a casewhere the yaw axis turns rightward (Yes in S53), the candidateidentifying unit 44 identifies the left forelimb and the right hindlimbas the candidates for a limb having a problem (S54). Meanwhile, in acase where the yaw axis turns leftward and does not turn rightward (Yesin S53), the candidate identifying unit 44 identifies the right forelimband the left hindlimb as the candidates for a limb having a problem(S55).

The problem limb identifying unit 45 determines whether or not the limbshaving a problem are in a state of two options as the candidates for alimb having a problem (S56). In a case where the limbs having a problemhave already been identified and are not in the state of two options (Noin S56), the process proceeds to S41 of the estimation processing.

Meanwhile, in a case where the limb having a problem is in the state oftwo options (Yes in S56), the problem limb identifying unit 45 obtainsthe motion waveforms in any of the up-down direction, the left-rightdirection, and the yaw axis direction when the horse moves in the gaitof walk, and determines whether or not the asymmetric motion waveformregularly appears in the motion waveform (S57). In a case where theasymmetric motion waveform does not regularly appear (No in S57), theproblem limb identifying unit 45 identifies that the limb having aproblem is in a state of two options (S58), and the process proceeds toS41 of the estimation processing.

Meanwhile, in a case where the asymmetric motion waveform regularlyappears (Yes at S57), the problem limb identifying unit 45 determineswhether or not the asymmetric disorder is interlocked with the movementof the forelimb (S59). In a case where the asymmetric disorder isinterlocked with the movement of the forelimb (Yes in S59), the problemlimb identifying unit 45 identifies the forelimb among the candidatesfor a limb having a problem as a limb having a problem (S60), and theprocess proceeds to S41 of the estimation processing.

Meanwhile, in a case where the asymmetric disorder is not interlockedwith the movement of the forelimb (Yes in S59), the problem limbidentifying unit 45 identifies the hindlimb among the candidates for alimb having a problem as a limb having a problem (S61), and the processproceeds to S41 of the estimation processing.

Returning to FIG. 28A, the output unit 47 outputs the identified limbhaving a problem (S41) and ends the processing. For example, in a casewhere the limb having a problem is identified, the output unit 47outputs a screen that displays the name of the identified limb to thedisplay unit 31. In addition, in a case where the limb having a problemis identified by two options, the output unit 47 outputs the screen thatdisplays the names of the limbs which are two options to the displayunit 31. In addition, in a case where the limb having a problem is notidentified, the output unit 47 outputs the screen that displays thecontents that there is no limb having a problem to the display unit 31.

Meanwhile, in a case where there is no trot in the determined gait (Noin S13), as illustrated in FIG. 28C-1, the determination unit 43determines whether or not there is a walk in the determined gait (S100).In a case where there is no walk in the determined gait (No in S100),the process proceeds to S121 will be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where there is a walk in the determined gait (Yesin S100), the candidate identifying unit 44 determines whether or notthe left and right balance in the walk is normal as a result ofevaluating the left and right balance at the time of the movement by theevaluation unit 42 (S101). The candidate identifying unit 44 determinesthat the left and right balance is normal when there is no tilt in theleft and right balance in the walk. In a case where the left and rightbalance is normal (Yes in S101), the process proceeds to S120 which willbe described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance in the walk is notnormal (No in S101), the candidate identifying unit 44 determineswhether or not the left and right balance is tilted to the right side(S102). In a case where the left and right balance is not tilted to theright side (No in S102), the candidate identifying unit 44 identifiesthe right forelimb and the left forelimb as the candidates for a limbhaving a problem (S103).

The problem limb identifying unit 45 determines whether or not thenutation movement has been detected when moving the forelimb and thehindlimb which are considered as the candidates for a limb having aproblem from the measurement data 35 (S104). In a case where thenutation movement is detected (Yes in S104), the problem limbidentifying unit 45 determines whether or not the upward nutationmovement has been detected (S105). In a case where the upward nutationmovement is detected (Yes in S105), the problem limb identifying unit 45identifies the right forelimb as a limb having a problem (S106).Meanwhile, in a case where the upward nutation movement is not detected(No in S105), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the lefthindlimb as a limb having a problem (S107). In addition, the processproceeds to S120 which will be described later. Further, in a case wherethe nutation movement is not detected (No in S104), the process proceedsto S120 will be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the left and right balance is tilted to theright side (Yes in S102), the candidate identifying unit 44 identifiesthe left forelimb and the right hindlimb as the candidates for a limbhaving a problem (S108).

The problem limb identifying unit 45 determines whether or not thenutation movement has been detected when moving the forelimb and thehindlimb which are considered as the candidates for a limb having aproblem from the measurement data 35 (S109). In a case where thenutation movement is detected (Yes in S109), the problem limbidentifying unit 45 determines whether or not the upward nutationmovement has been detected (S110). In a case where the upward nutationmovement is detected (Yes in S110), the problem limb identifying unit 45identifies the left forelimb as a limb having a problem (S111).Meanwhile, in a case where the upward nutation movement is not detected(No in S110), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies the righthindlimb as a limb having a problem (S112). In addition, the processproceeds to S120 which will be described later. Further, in a case wherethe nutation movement is not detected (No in S109), the process proceedsto S120 will be described later.

The problem limb identifying unit 45 executes second waveform analysisprocessing (S120).

FIG. 30 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedureof the second waveform analysis processing. The second waveform analysisprocessing is executed from S120 of the estimation processing.

As illustrated in FIG. 30, the problem limb identifying unit 45determines whether or not the limb having a problem is undecided (S150).In a case where the limb having a problem has not yet been identified,it is determined that the limb having a problem is undecided. In a casewhere the limb having a problem is identified and the limb having aproblem is not undecided (No in S150), the process proceeds to S121 ofthe estimation processing.

Meanwhile, in a case where the limb having a problem is undecided (Yesin S150), the distinguishing unit 46 distinguishes the ground-off andlanding timings of each of the four limbs of the horse from the motionwaveforms when the horse moves in the gait of walk (S151). For example,the distinguishing unit 46 obtains the motion waveforms in the up-downdirection and in the yaw axis direction when the horse moves in the gaitof walk, and distinguishes the ground-off and landing timings of each ofthe four limbs of the horse from the motion waveforms in the up-downdirection and in the yaw axis direction.

The candidate identifying unit 44 obtains the motion waveforms in any ofthe up-down direction, the left-right direction, the yaw axis direction,and the front-rear direction when the horse moves in the gait of trotbased on the measurement data 35, and determines whether or notasymmetry regularly appears in the motion waveform (S152). In a casewhere the asymmetry does not regularly appear in the motion waveform (Noin S152), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifies that there isno limb having a problem (S153), and the process proceeds to S121 of theestimation processing.

Meanwhile, in a case where the asymmetry regularly appears in the motionwaveform (Yes at S152), the problem limb identifying unit 45 identifiesthe limb having a problem which is interlocked with the disorder of themotion waveform based on the ground-off and landing timings of each ofthe four limbs of the horse distinguished by the distinguishing unit 46(S154), and the process proceeds to S121 of the estimation processing.

Returning to FIG. 28C-1, the output unit 47 outputs the identified limbhaving a problem (S121) and ends the processing. For example, in a casewhere the limb having a problem is identified, the output unit 47outputs a screen that displays the name of the identified limb to thedisplay unit 31. In addition, in a case where the limb having a problemis identified by two options, the output unit 47 outputs the screen thatdisplays the names of the limbs which are two options to the displayunit 31. In addition, in a case where the limb having a problem is notidentified, the output unit 47 outputs the screen that displays thecontents that there is no limb having a problem to the display unit 31.

[Effects]

As described above, the estimation device 12 according to the exampleevaluates the left and right balance at the time of the movement basedon the measurement data 24 of the motion sensor attached to the horse,and identifies the candidate for a limb having a problem. The estimationdevice 12 detects the nutation movement from the measurement data 24,and identifies a limb having a problem among the limbs which are thecandidates for a limb having a problem based on the detection result ofthe nutation movement. Accordingly, the estimation device 12 canestimate the limb having a problem which causes the lameness in a statewith the burden on the horse is small.

Further, the estimation device 12 according to the example evaluates theleft and right balance at the time of the movement based on themeasurement data 24, and in a case of evaluating that the balance istilted to the right side, the estimation device 12 identifies the leftforelimb and the right hindlimb as the candidate for a limb having aproblem. In addition, the estimation device 12 evaluates the left andright balance at the time of the movement based on the measurement data24, and in a case where the balance is tilted to the left side, theestimation device 12 identifies the right forelimb and the left hindlimbas the candidate for a limb having a problem. Accordingly, theestimation device 12 can identify whether the candidates for a limbhaving a problem are the left forelimb and the right hindlimb or theright forelimb and the left hindlimb, from the left and right balance.

In addition, in a case where the upward nutation movement is detectedwhen moving the forelimb and the hindlimb which are considered as thecandidates for a limb having a problem from the measurement data 35, theestimation device 12 according to the example identifies the forelimbidentified as the candidate for a limb having a problem as a limb havinga problem. Further, in a case where the downward nutation movement isdetected when moving the forelimb and the hindlimb which are consideredas the candidates for a limb having a problem from the measurement data35, the estimation device 12 identifies the hindlimb identified as thecandidate for a limb having a problem as a limb having a problem.Accordingly, the estimation device 12 can estimate the limb having aproblem from the forelimb and the hindlimb with high accuracy.

Further, the estimation device 12 according to the example determinesthe gait of the horse based on the measurement data 35. The estimationdevice 12 identifies the candidate for a limb having a problem from theresult of evaluating the left and right balance when the horse moves inthe gait of walk or trot. In the horse, in a case where someabnormalities are generated in the four limbs, the lameness is likely tooccur when moving in the gait of walk or trot gait. Accordingly, theestimation device 12 can find the abnormalities generated in the fourlimbs in an early stage by evaluating the left and right balance whenthe horse moves in the gait of walk or trot.

In addition, the estimation device 12 according to the exampleidentifies the hindlimb identified as the candidate for a limb having aproblem as a limb having a problem in a case where the left and rightbalance is reversed in the gait of trot and the gait of walk. Further,the estimation device 12 identifies the forelimb identified as thecandidate for a limb having a problem as a limb having a problem in acase where the left and right balance is reversed in the gait of trotand the gait of walk. Accordingly, the estimation device 12 can identifywhich of the forelimbs and the hindlimbs is the limb having a problem.

In addition, the estimation device 12 according to the exampledetermines the presence or absence of the lameness based on the symmetryof the motion waveforms in any of the up-down direction, the left-rightdirection, and the yaw axis direction when the horse moves in the gaitof trot. The estimation device 12 identifies left forelimb and righthindlimb as the candidates for a limb having a problem in a case wherethe yaw axis direction turns rightward at the timing at which the motionwaveform becomes asymmetric. In addition, the estimation device 12identifies the right forelimb and the left hindlimb as the candidatesfor a limb having a problem in a case of the left turn at the timing atwhich the motion waveform becomes asymmetric. Accordingly, theestimation device 12 can identify the candidates for a limb having aproblem from the symmetry of the motion waveform even in a case wherethere is no deviation in the left and right balance.

Further, in a case where the nutation movement is not detected, theestimation device 12 according to the example determines whether thereis a timing at which the motion waveform becomes asymmetric when thehorse moves in the gait of walk. In addition, the estimation device 12identifies the forelimb considered as the candidate for a limb having aproblem as a limb having a problem, in a case where there is the timingat which the motion waveform becomes asymmetric and the timing at whichthe motion waveform becomes asymmetric is interlocked with the movementof the forelimb. In addition, the estimation device 12 identifies thehindlimb considered as the candidate for a limb having a problem as alimb having a problem in a case where the timing at which the motionwaveform becomes asymmetric is not interlocked with the movement of theforelimb. Accordingly, the estimation device 12 can identify whether thelimb having a problem is the forelimb or the hindlimb even in a casewhere the nutation movement is not detected.

EXAMPLE 2

Next, Example 2 will be described. In Example 2, a case where theestimation device 12 is a portable terminal device will be described.Since the configurations of the system 10 and the measurement device 11according to Example 2 is the same as those of Example 1 illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 31 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the estimation device according to Example 2. Since theconfiguration of the estimation device 12 according to Example 2 ismostly the same as that of Example 1 illustrated in FIG. 4, the sameparts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different partswill be mainly described.

As illustrated in FIG. 31, the estimation device 12 further includes anotification unit 37.

The notification unit 37 is a device which performs notification. Forexample, the notification unit 37 is a vibrator for notification byvibration or a speaker for notification by sound.

Further, the control unit 34 further includes a warning unit 48.

The warning unit 48 performs various types of warning. For example, in acase where a state where the left and right balance is deviated to anyone side is detected in the evaluation of the plurality of times ofwalking completions by the evaluation unit 42, the warning unit 48controls the notification unit 37 and generates a warning. For example,the warning unit 48 generates a warning in a case where the ratio of theleft or right side is equal to or greater than a predetermined thresholdvalue (for example, 80%) considered to be deviated toward one side inthe evaluation of the latest predetermined period or a predeterminednumber of walking completions. The threshold value may be externallysettable. Further, for example, the warning unit 48 controls thenotification unit 37 and generates a warning in a case where the limbhaving a problem is identified as a specific limb or a state of twooptions.

FIG. 32 is a view illustrating an example of a flow of health managementof the horse by the system according to Example 2. The measurementdevice 11 is attached in front of the chest of the horse 13 which is atarget of the health management. Further, for example, applicationsoftware is installed on the smartphone to cause the smartphone tofunction as the estimation device 12.

A person in charge of training the horse 13 possesses the estimationdevice 12 and trains the horse 13. The estimation device 12 and themeasurement device 11 can communicate with each other by short-rangewireless communication, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Theestimation device 12 receives the measurement data 24 from themeasurement device 11 at any time and evaluates the left and rightbalance in real time. As a result of the evaluation, the estimationdevice 12 generates a warning in a case where a state where the left andright balance is deviated to any one side is detected in the evaluationof the plurality of times of walking completions. In addition, theestimation device 12 generates a warning in a case where the limb havinga problem is identified as a specific limb or a state of two options,and displays the limb having a problem and a specific limb or a state oftwo options. Accordingly, since the estimation device 12 can detect thelameness in real time during the training and generate a warning, thegeneration of an abnormality can be detected in an early stage. Forexample, in a case where the lameness is detected during the training,the estimation device 12 can stop the training by generating a warning,and it is possible to suppress deterioration of the abnormality of thelimb.

After the training, the estimation device 12 is brought to themanagement office, and the measurement data 35 or the evaluation data 36is uploaded to a terminal device 14 via the storage medium or by wiredcommunication or wireless communication. The terminal device 14 managesthe uploaded measurement data 35 or the evaluation data 36. In addition,the terminal device 14 may perform more detailed analysis on the healthmanagement of the horse 13 using the measurement data 35 or theevaluation data 36.

[Effects]

As described above, in a case where the lameness is detected during thetraining, the estimation device 12 according to the example generates awarning, and accordingly, it is possible to suppress deterioration ofthe abnormality in a case where the abnormality of the limb isgenerated.

EXAMPLE 3

Although the examples related to the devices disclosed so far have beendescribed, the disclosed technology may be implemented in variousdifferent aspects in addition to the above-described examples. Here,another example included in the present invention will be describedbelow.

For example, in Example 2 described above, a case where the estimationdevice 12 uploads the measurement data 35 or the evaluation data 36 tothe terminal device 14 of the management office was described as anexample. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the estimation device 12 may upload the measurement data 35 orthe evaluation data 36 to a server device on the cloud. FIG. 33 is aview illustrating an example of a flow of the health management of thehorse by the system according to Example 3. For example, the estimationdevice 12 may upload the measurement data 35 or the evaluation data 36to a server device 15 on the cloud via a mobile communication network.The server device 15 manages the uploaded measurement data 35 or theevaluation data 36. In addition, the server device 15 may perform moredetailed analysis on the health management of the horse 13 using themeasurement data 35 or the evaluation data 36. In this manner, bymanaging or analyzing the measurement data 35 or the evaluation data 36in the server device 15 on the cloud, the trainer or the like can graspthe health condition of the horse 13 by accessing the server device 15even when the trainer is out of the office.

Further, in the above-described example, a case applied to detection oflameness of the horse was described as an example. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. In an animal moving on four limbs,when some abnormalities are generated in the four limbs, the lamenessoccurs by hiding the limb in which the abnormality has generated.Accordingly, the estimation device 12 can be used to detect the lamenessof the animal moving on four limbs.

In addition, in the above-described example, a case where the left andthe right balance when the horse moves is evaluated from the measurementdata measured by the measurement device 11 attached in front of thechest of the horse has been described as an example. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. When it is possible toevaluate the left and right balance, the measurement device 11 may beattached to any side. In other words, since the position appropriate forevaluating the left and right balance at the time of the movement isdifferent depending on the animal moving on four limbs, the measurementdevice 11 may be attached to each of the positions appropriate formeasuring the trajectory.

Further, in the above-described example, a case of evaluating the leftand right balance by majority decision of the evaluation results of theindicators 1 to 3 has been described. However, the present invention isnot limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed. For example, theevaluation unit 42 may evaluate the left and right balance by using anyone or two of the indicators 1 to 3. In addition, the evaluation unit 42may evaluate the left and right balance from the result of weighting theevaluation results of the plurality of indicators. For example, theevaluation unit 42 may greatly weight the evaluation results ofindicators with high evaluation accuracy of the evaluation depending onthe moving situation, such as the gait or the road surface, and evaluatethe left and right balance from the weighted result.

In addition, each configuration elements of each device illustrated inthe drawings is functionally conceptual, and is not necessarilyphysically configured as similar as the drawing. In other words, aspecific state of distribution and integration of each device is notlimited to those illustrated in the drawing, and all or a part thereofcan be distributed and integrated functionally or physically in any unitaccording to various loads or usage situations. For example, each of theprocessing units of the storage unit 40, the reception unit 41, theevaluation unit 42, the determination unit 43, the candidate identifyingunit 44, the problem limb identifying unit 45, the distinguishing unit46, and the output unit 47 may be appropriately integrated with eachother. In addition, the processing of each of the processing units maybe appropriately separated into processing of a plurality of processingunits. Furthermore, all or any part of each processing functionperformed in each of the processing units is realized by the CPU and aprogram analyzed and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardwareby wired logic.

[Estimation Program]

In addition, various types of processing described in theabove-described examples can also be realized by executing a preparedprogram on a computer system, such as a personal computer or aworkstation, in advance. Here, hereinafter, an example of the computersystem that executes the program having the same function as those ofthe above-described examples will be described. FIG. 34 illustrates adiagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a computer thatexecutes the estimation program.

As illustrated in FIG. 34, a computer 400 includes a central processingunit (CPU) 410, a hard disk drive (HDD) 420, and a random access memory(RAM) 440. Each of the units 400 to 440 is connected to each other via abus 500.

An estimation program 420A which functions similar to the storage unit40, the reception unit 41, the evaluation unit 42, the determinationunit 43, the candidate identifying unit 44, the problem limb identifyingunit 45, the distinguishing unit 46, and the output unit 47, is storedin the HDD 420 in advance. In addition, the estimation program 420A maybe appropriately separated.

Further, the HDD 420 stores various types of information. For example,the HDD 420 stores various types of data used for determining the OS orthe order quantity.

In addition, the CPU 410 reads out and executes the estimation program420A from the HDD 420, and accordingly, the CPU 410 executes the sameoperation as that of each of the processing units of the example. Inother words, the estimation program 420A executes similar operations asthose of the storage unit 40, the reception unit 41, the evaluation unit42, the determination unit 43, the candidate identifying unit 44, theproblem limb identifying unit 45, the distinguishing unit 46, and theoutput unit 47.

In addition, the above-described estimation program 420A is notnecessarily stored in the HDD 420 from the beginning.

For example, the program is stored in “portable physical medium”, suchas a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a magnetooptic disk, oran IC card, inserted into the computer 400. In addition, the computer400 may read out and execute the program from the mediums.

Furthermore, the program is stored in “another computer (or server)” orthe like connected to the computer 400 via a public line, the Internet,a LAN, a WAN, or the like. In addition, the computer 400 may read outand execute the program from the mediums.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare to be construed as being without limitation to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of suchexamples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority andinferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the presentinvention have been described in detail, it should be understood thatthe various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made heretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An estimation method performed by a computer, themethod comprising: executing a first identifying process that includesidentifying a candidate limb possibly having a problem by evaluatingleft and right balance at the time of movement based on measurement dataof a motion sensor attached in front of a chest region of an animalmoving on four limbs, the measurement data indicating a movement of thechest region of the animal which has been measured by the motion sensor;and executing a second identifying process that includes identifying,based on a detection result obtained by detecting a nutation movementfrom the measurement data, a limb having the problem from among limbswhich are considered as the candidate limb in the first identifyingprocess, the nutation movement being an upward nutation movement or adownward nutation movement; and outputting a result of the secondidentifying process, the outputting of the result including thecandidate limb identified to have the problem, wherein the evaluating ofthe left and right balance includes: mapping a trajectory using themeasurement data in measurement time order onto an X-Y coordinate planefor each of a plurality of walking completions of the animal, the planehaving an X axis representing a movement amount in the horizontaldirection and a Y axis representing a movement amount in an up-downdirection; determining a maximum point in the trajectory at which aposition of a next point in the up-down direction first drops,determining a minimum point in the trajectory at which a position of anext point in the up-down direction first rises, where the minimum pointoccurring after the maximum point in the measurement time order ispositioned on a right of the maximum point in the plane, the maximumpoint is deemed to be on a left side and the minimum point is deemed tobe on a right side, and where the minimum point occurring after themaximum point in the measurement time order is positioned on a left ofthe maximum point in the plane, the maximum point is deemed to be on theright side and the minimum point is deemed to be on the left side;determining in the trajectory a first point, a second point, a thirdpoint, and a fourth point, the first point being a maximum point on theleft side, the second point being a minimum point on the right side, thethird point being a maximum point on the right side, and the fourthpoint being a minimum point on the left side; generating a first linesegment, a second line segment, an intersection point, and a center linein the plane, the first line segment connecting the first point and thesecond point to each other, the second line segment connecting the thirdpoint and the fourth point to each other, the intersection point beingat an intersection between the first line segment and the second linesegment, and the center line being a line extending in the Y-axisdirection that passes through the intersection point; generating a firstindicator, a second indicator, and a third indicator for the trajectory,the first indicator being a ratio of a left area to a right area of thetrajectory with respect to the center line, the second indicator being aratio of a length of portions of the first line segment and the secondline segment that are on the left of the center line to a length ofportions of the first line segment and the second line segment that areon the right of the center line, the third indicator being a ratio of adecrease amount of the second point from the intersection point to adecrease amount of the fourth point from the intersection point, with avalue less than one for each of the first, second, and third indicatorsrepresenting an evaluation of the let and right balance to be tilted tothe right side, and a value greater than one for each of the first,second, and third indicators representing the evaluation of the left andright balance to be tilted to the left side; and determining the leftand right balance using a majority of the evaluations represented by thefirst, second, and third indicators, and wherein the detecting of thenutation movement is configured to: determine that the upward nutationmovement has occurred in a case where the measurement data equal to orgreater than a predetermine value is generated in an upward direction;and determine that the downward nutation movement has occurred in a casewhere the measurement data equal to or greater than the predeterminevalue is generated in a downward direction.
 2. The estimation methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first identifying process isconfigured to evaluate the left and right balance, identify a leftforelimb and a right hindlimb as the candidate limb when the left andright balance is evaluated to be tilted to the right side, and identifya right forelimb and a left hindlimb as the candidate limb when the leftand right balance is evaluated to be tilted to the left side.
 3. Theestimation method according to claim 2, wherein the second identifyingprocess is configured to identify a forelimb identified as the candidatelimb as a limb having a problem when the upward nutation movement isdetected upon movement of the forelimb and a hindlimb which areconsidered as the candidate limb, and identify the hindlimb identifiedas the candidate limb as a limb having a problem when the downwardnutation movement is detected, from the measurement data.
 4. Theestimation method according to claim 1, the method further comprising:executing a determining process that includes determining a gait of theanimal based on the measurement data, wherein the first identifyingprocess is configured to identify the candidate limb from the result ofevaluating the left and right balance when the animal moves in the gaitof walk or trot.
 5. The estimation method according to claim 4, whereinthe second identifying process is configured to identify a hindlimbidentified as the candidate limb as a limb having a problem when theleft and right balance is reversed in the gait of trot and the gait ofwalk, and identify a forelimb identified as the candidate limb as a limbhaving a problem when the left and right balance is reversed in the gaitof trot and the gait of walk.
 6. The estimation method according toclaim 4, wherein the first identifying process is configured todetermine the presence or absence of lameness based on the symmetry ofmotion waveforms in any one of the up-down direction, the left-rightdirection, and the yaw axis direction when the animal moves in the gaitof trot, identify the left forelimb and the right hindlimb as thecandidate limb when the yaw axis direction turns rightward at a timingat which the motion waveform becomes asymmetric, and identify the rightforelimb and the left hindlimb as the candidate limb when the left turnat a timing at which the motion waveform becomes asymmetric.
 7. Theestimation method according to claim 4, wherein the second identifyingprocess is configured to determine, when the nutation movement is notdetected, whether there is a first timing at which the motion waveformbecomes asymmetric upon movement of the animal in the gait of walk,identify a forelimb considered as the candidate limb as a limb having aproblem when the first timing is interlocked with the movement of theforelimb, and identify a hindlimb considered as the candidate limb as alimb having a problem when the first timing is not interlocked with themovement of the forelimb.
 8. An information processing apparatus forestimating a motion of an animal, the apparatus comprising: a memory;and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute a firstidentifying process that includes identifying a candidate limb possiblyhaving a problem by evaluating left and right balance at the time ofmovement based on measurement data of a motion sensor attached in frontof a chest region of the animal moving on four limbs, the measurementdata indicating a movement of the chest region of the animal which hasbeen measured by the motion sensor; and execute a second identifyingprocess that includes identifying, based on a detection result obtainedby detecting the nutation movement from the measurement data, a limbhaving the problem from among limbs which are considered as thecandidate limb in the first identifying process, the nutation movementbeing an upward nutation movement or a downward nutation movement; andoutput a result of the second identifying process, the outputting of theresult including the candidate limb identified to have the problem,wherein the evaluating of the left and right balance includes: mapping atrajectory using the measurement data in measurement time order onto anX-Y coordinate plane for each of a plurality of walking completions ofthe animal, the plane having an X axis representing a movement amount inthe horizontal direction and a Y axis representing a movement amount inan up-down direction; determining a maximum point in the trajectory atwhich a position of a next point in the up-down direction first drops;determining a minimum point in the trajectory at which a position of anext point in the up-down direction first rises, where the minimum pointoccurring after the maximum point in the measurement time order ispositioned on a right of the maximum point in the plane, the maximumpoint is deemed to be on a left side and the minimum point is deemed tobe on a right side, and where the minimum point occurring after themaximum point in the measurement time order is positioned on a left ofthe maximum point in the plane, the maximum point is deemed to be on theright side and the minimum point is deemed to be on the left side,determining in the trajectory a first point, a second point, a thirdpoint, and a fourth point, the first point being a maximum point on theleft side, the second point being a minimum point on the right side, thethird point being a maximum point on the right side, and the fourthpoint being a minimum point on the left side; generating a first linesegment, a second line segment, an intersection point, and a center linein the plane, the first line segment connecting the first point and thesecond point to each other, the second line segment connecting the thirdpoint and the fourth point to each other, the intersection point beingat an intersection between the first line segment and the second linesegment, and the center line being a line extending in the Y-axisdirection that passes through the intersection point; generating a firstindicator, a second indicator, and a third indicator for the trajectory,the first indicator being a ratio of a left area to a right area of thetrajectory with respect to the center line, the second indicator being aratio of a length of portions of the first line segment and the secondline segment that are on the left of the center line to a length ofportions of the first line segment and the second line segment that areon the right of the center line, the third indicator being a ratio of adecrease amount of the second point from the intersection point to adecrease amount of the fourth point from the intersection point, with avalue less than one for each of the first, second, and third indicatorsrepresenting an evaluation of the left and right balance to be tilted tothe right side, and a value greater than one for each of the first,second, and third indicators representing the evaluation of the left andright balance to be tilted to the left side; and determining the leftand right balance using a majority of the evaluations represented by thefirst, second, and third indicators, and wherein the detecting of thenutation movement is configured to: determine that the upward nutationmovement has occurred in a case where the measurement data equal to orgreater than a predetermine value is generated in an upward direction;and determine that the downward nutation movement has occurred in a casewhere the measurement data equal to or greater than the predeterminevalue is generated in a downward direction.
 9. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first identifyingprocess is configured to evaluate the left and right balance, identify aleft forelimb and a right hindlimb as the candidate limb when the leftand right balance is evaluated to be tilted to the right side, andidentify a right forelimb and a left hindlimb as the candidate limb whenthe left and right balance is evaluated to be tilted to the left side.10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe second identifying process is configured to identify a forelimbidentified as the candidate limb as a limb having a problem when theupward nutation movement is detected upon movement of the forelimb and ahindlimb which are considered as the candidate limb, and identify thehindlimb identified as the candidate limb as a limb having a problemwhen the downward nutation movement is detected, from the measurementdata.
 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the processor is configured to execute a determining processthat includes determining a gait of the animal based on the measurementdata, wherein the first identifying process is configured to identifythe candidate limb from the result of evaluating the left and rightbalance when the animal moves in the gait of walk or trot.
 12. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thesecond identifying process is configured to identify a hindlimbidentified as the candidate limb as a limb having a problem when theleft and right balance is reversed in the gait of trot and the gait ofwalk, and identify a forelimb identified as the candidate limb as a limbhaving a problem when the left and right balance is reversed in the gaitof trot and the gait of walk.
 13. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the first identifying process isconfigured to determine the presence or absence of lameness based on thesymmetry of motion waveforms in any one of the up-down direction, theleft-right direction, and the yaw axis direction when the animal movesin the gait of trot, identify the left forelimb and the right hindlimbas the candidate limb when the yaw axis direction turns rightward at atiming at which the motion waveform becomes asymmetric, and identify theright forelimb and the left hindlimb as the candidate limb when the leftturn at a timing at which the motion waveform becomes asymmetric. 14.The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thesecond identifying process is configured to determine, when the nutationmovement is not detected, whether there is a first timing at which themotion waveform becomes asymmetric upon movement of the animal in thegait of walk, identify a forelimb considered as the candidate limb as alimb having a problem when the first timing is interlocked with themovement of the forelimb, and identify a hindlimb considered as thecandidate limb as a limb having a problem when the first timing is notinterlocked with the movement of the forelimb.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a estimation program thatcauses a processor to execute a process, the process comprising:executing a first identifying process that includes identifying acandidate limb possibly having a problem by evaluating left and rightbalance at the time of movement based on measurement data of a motionsensor attached in front of a chest region of an animal moving on fourlimbs, the measurement data indicating a movement of the chest region ofthe animal which has been measured by the motion sensor; and executing asecond identifying process that includes identifying, based on adetection result obtained by detecting the nutation movement from themeasurement data, a limb having the problem from among limbs which areconsidered as the candidate limb in the first identifying process, thenutation movement being an upward nutation movement or a downwardnutation movement; and outputting a result of the second identifyingprocess, the outputting of the result including the candidate limbidentified to have the problem, wherein the evaluating of the left andright balance includes: mapping a trajectory using the measurement datain measurement time order onto an X-Y coordinate plane for each of aplurality of walking completions of the animal, the plane having an Xaxis representing a movement amount in the horizontal direction and a Yaxis representing a movement amount in an up-down direction; determininga maximum point in the trajectory at which a position of a next point inthe up-down direction first drops; determining a minimum point in thetrajectory at which a position of a next point in the up-down directionfirst rises, where the minimum point occurring after the maximum pointin the measurement time order is positioned on a right of the maximumpoint in the plane, the maximum point is deemed to be on a left side andthe minimum point is deemed to be on a right side, and where the minimumpoint occurring after the maximum point in the measurement time order ispositioned on a left of the maximum point in the plane, the maximumpoint is deemed to be on the right side and the minimum point is deemedto be on the left side; determining in the trajectory a first point, asecond point, a third point, and a fourth point, the first point being amaximum point on the left side, the second point being a minimum pointon the right side, the third point being a maximum point on the rightside, and the fourth point being a minimum point on the left side;generating, a first line segment, a second line segment, an intersectionpoint, and a center line in the plane, the first line segment connectingthe first point and the second point to each other, the second linesegment connecting the third point and the fourth point to each other,the intersection point being at an intersection between the first linesegment and the second line segment, and the center line being a lineextending in the Y-axis direction that passes through the intersectionpoint; generating a first indicator, a second indicator, and a thirdindicator for the trajectory, the first indicator being a ratio of aleft area to a right area of the trajectory with respect to the centerline, the second indicator being a ratio of a length of portions of thefirst line segment and the second line segment that are on the left ofthe center line to a length of portions of the first line segment andthe second line segment that are on the right of the center line, thethird indicator being a ratio of a decrease amount of the second pointfrom the intersection point to a decrease amount of the fourth pointfrom the intersection point, with a value less than one for each of thefirst, second, and third indicators representing an evaluation of theleft and right balance to be tilted to the right side, and a valuegreater than one for each of the first, second, and third indicatorsrepresenting the evaluation of the left and right balance to be tiltedto the left side; and determining the left and right balance using amajority of the evaluations represented by the first, second, and thirdindicators, and wherein the detecting of the nutation movement isconfigured to: determine that the upward nutation movement has occurredin a case where the measurement data equal to or greater than apredetermine value is generated in an upward direction; and determinethat the downward nutation movement has occurred in a case where themeasurement data equal to or greater than the predetermine value isgenerated in a downward direction.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 15, wherein thefirst identifying process is configured to evaluate the left and rightbalance, identify a left forelimb and a right hindlimb as the candidatelimb when the left and right balance is evaluated to be tilted to theright side, and identify a right forelimb and a left hindlimb as thecandidate limb when the left and right balance is evaluated to be tiltedto the left side.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium according to claim 16, wherein the second identifying process isconfigured to identify a forelimb identified as the candidate limb as alimb having a problem when the upward nutation movement is detected uponmovement of the forelimb and a hindlimb which are considered as thecandidate limb, and identify the hindlimb identified as the candidatelimb as a limb having a problem when the downward nutation movement isdetected, from the measurement data.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 15, wherein theprocess further includes: executing a determining process that includesdetermining a gait of the animal based on the measurement data, whereinthe first identifying process is configured to identify the candidatelimb from the result of evaluating the left and right balance when theanimal moves in the gait of walk or trot.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein thesecond identifying process is configured to identify a hindlimbidentified as the candidate limb as a limb having a problem when theleft and right balance is reversed in the gait of trot and the gait ofwalk, and identify a forelimb identified as the candidate limb as a limbhaving a problem when the left and right balance is reversed in the gaitof trot and the gait of walk.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 18, wherein the first identifyingprocess is configured to determine the presence or absence of lamenessbased on the symmetry of motion waveforms in any one of the up-downdirection, the left-right direction, and the yaw axis direction when theanimal moves in the gait of trot, identify a left forelimb and the righthindlimb as the candidate limb when the yaw axis direction turnsrightward at a timing at which the motion waveform becomes asymmetric,and identify a right forelimb and the left hindlimb as the candidatelimb when the left turn at a timing at which the motion waveform becomesasymmetric.